The former chief of Telangana’s Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) T Prabhakar Rao has been identified as the prime accused in a phone-tapping scandal that has stirred the state ahead of the upcoming general election. Allegations suggest he failed to “draw the line” when executing orders from the ruling party.

Rao, alleged to have overseen the illegal tapping of phones belonging to opposition leaders during the previous BRS government led by K Chandrashekar Rao, is currently reported to be in the United States, NDTV reported.

Authorities have issued a look-out notice for him and conducted searches at various locations, including his home in Hyderabad and the residence of Shravan Rao, operator of the Telugu TV channel I News.

Shravan Rao, believed to be abroad, is accused of assisting in the installation of phone-tapping equipment (from Israel) and servers at a local school.

Another police officer, Radha Kishan Rao, formerly serving in the city task force, has also been implicated, with authorities issuing a look-out notice for him. Several other Telangana police officers are also under scrutiny in connection with the case.

Allegations against Prabhakar Rao were reiterated by suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police D Praneeth Rao and Additional Superintendents of Police N Bhujanga Rao and M Thirupatanna, who were arrested recently.

The police revealed that Bhujanga Rao and Thirupathanna admitted to illegally monitoring private individuals and destroying evidence.

While Praneeth Rao, arrested earlier this month, faces charges of unauthorised profiling of individuals and monitoring their activities, as well as destruction of computer systems and data on electronic devices.

The destruction of evidence was reportedly ordered by Prabhakar Rao, allegedly following the Congress’s victory over the BRS in the 2023 election.

The list of individuals reportedly subjected to surveillance includes Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, members of the BJP and Congress, and associates of former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao’s BRS. Allegations of surveillance on Telugu actors and businessmen have also surfaced, with reports of blackmail.

At least 30 police officers are expected to be investigated as the case unfolds, with rumors circulating that a BRS leader could also be implicated, potentially casting scrutiny on the former Chief Minister’s party just days before the general election.

Prabhakar Rao retired in June 2020 after 29 years of service, and in November last year, the BRS government had appointed him as OSD, Intelligence (SIB).