Supreme Court adjourns Telangana plea against Prabhakar Rao’s bail in phone tapping case

HYDERABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned for two weeks the Telangana government’s petition seeking cancellation of interim bail granted to former Indian Police Service officer Prabhakar Rao in the phone tapping case. Justice B V Nagarathna said the matter will next be heard on October 8.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that Rao was not cooperating with the inquiry. He alleged that the former officer had refused to share passwords for government-issued laptops and computers. Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the state, argued that Rao had left the country for the United States soon after the court issued notices and that he had deleted evidence from his home computer.

Government alleges accused erased evidence from official devices

The government informed the bench that forensic reports confirmed that Rao factory reset the laptops, computers, and mobile phones given to him in his official capacity to erase all data. It stated that clear evidence showed that someone tapped the phones of legislators, parliamentarians, political leaders, and officials, but the accused attempted to destroy records.

Mehta further said Rao responded to investigators with “I don’t know” and “I don’t remember,” instead of providing information. He argued that rules require officials to return devices in original condition when the government changes, but Rao deliberately erased data.

Appearing for Rao, senior advocate Sheshadri Naidu said his client attended inquiry sessions on 15 occasions. He alleged that the case was politically motivated and that witnesses were being forced to sign statements against Rao. Seeking time to file a counter, Naidu requested adjournment. The bench granted two weeks’ time before resuming the hearing.