Hyderabad: Stating that their probe into a phone tapping case has made out a prima facie case against former minister T Harish Rao, the investigation officer (IO) in the case on Thursday filed a counter urging the high court to vacate the ‘don’t arrest Harish Rao‘ order.
“Our probe so far revealed that the former minister had used the accused police officers in the phone tapping case extensively and that this is a clear case of criminal intimidation used against a person who was emerging popular in Siddipet constituency,” IO S Mohan Kumar said in his counter affidavit before court. It may be recalled Justice K Lakshman had earlier heard the petition filed by Harish Rao and directed police not to arrest him till Jan 9. FIR against him was registered following a complaint from Gadhagoni Chakradhar Goud, who contested from Siddipet assembly constituency on BSP ticket and lost in 2023 polls. When counsel for Harish Rao made a mention that protection from arrest was expiring on Jan 9, judge assured him he will hear the case on Jan 10.
‘Harish grew suspicious’
The investigation officer said Harish Rao grew suspicious about the growing popularity of Chakradhar in Siddipet and sent him warnings that he should not aspire to emerge as a political leader in his constituency. Either join BRS or keep quiet, else you will lose credibility, money, and even life, is the essence of these warnings.
When Chakradhar went to the rescue of 200 debt-ridden farmers and their families with 1 lakh for each family, then DCP, Task Force, chief A Radha Kishan Rao and other accused policemen in phone tapping case threatened him and sought to know his source of income. The IO confirmed Chakaradhar’s phone number was there in list of tapped phones. “This shows this is a serious case and does not warrant any interference from court at time of investigation,” Kumar said. Several false cases were booked against Chakradhar and he was subjected to third degree treatment by police at behest of Harish Rao, he said. Humiliating treatment through extreme physical and mental torture (including implication in false cases) was meted out. His and his families’ phones were tapped to hurt him, Kumar said. “Witnesses’ statements corroborated version of Chakradhar. Police tortured him, made him kneel down and the same was shown to Harish over a video call,” IO said.
“Since HCs are equipped with powers under Article 226, that is why courts should use them sparingly, never for quashing petitions such as current one,” IO said. Police counter brushed aside allegation that complainant came to fore long after alleged ill treatment and narrated Chakradhar’s efforts for justice.
The probe officer confirmed that Chakaradhar’s number was there in list of tapped phones. The phones of Chakradhar, his family members and followers were tapped
“Our probe so far revealed that the former minister had used the accused police officers in the phone tapping case extensively and that this is a clear case of criminal intimidation used against a person who was emerging popular in Siddipet constituency,” IO S Mohan Kumar said in his counter affidavit before court. It may be recalled Justice K Lakshman had earlier heard the petition filed by Harish Rao and directed police not to arrest him till Jan 9. FIR against him was registered following a complaint from Gadhagoni Chakradhar Goud, who contested from Siddipet assembly constituency on BSP ticket and lost in 2023 polls. When counsel for Harish Rao made a mention that protection from arrest was expiring on Jan 9, judge assured him he will hear the case on Jan 10.
‘Harish grew suspicious’
The investigation officer said Harish Rao grew suspicious about the growing popularity of Chakradhar in Siddipet and sent him warnings that he should not aspire to emerge as a political leader in his constituency. Either join BRS or keep quiet, else you will lose credibility, money, and even life, is the essence of these warnings.
When Chakradhar went to the rescue of 200 debt-ridden farmers and their families with 1 lakh for each family, then DCP, Task Force, chief A Radha Kishan Rao and other accused policemen in phone tapping case threatened him and sought to know his source of income. The IO confirmed Chakaradhar’s phone number was there in list of tapped phones. “This shows this is a serious case and does not warrant any interference from court at time of investigation,” Kumar said. Several false cases were booked against Chakradhar and he was subjected to third degree treatment by police at behest of Harish Rao, he said. Humiliating treatment through extreme physical and mental torture (including implication in false cases) was meted out. His and his families’ phones were tapped to hurt him, Kumar said. “Witnesses’ statements corroborated version of Chakradhar. Police tortured him, made him kneel down and the same was shown to Harish over a video call,” IO said.
“Since HCs are equipped with powers under Article 226, that is why courts should use them sparingly, never for quashing petitions such as current one,” IO said. Police counter brushed aside allegation that complainant came to fore long after alleged ill treatment and narrated Chakradhar’s efforts for justice.
The probe officer confirmed that Chakaradhar’s number was there in list of tapped phones. The phones of Chakradhar, his family members and followers were tapped
