The Supreme Court has granted a limited extension of police custody for former Telangana Special Intelligence Bureau chief T Prabhakar Rao in the phone-tapping case, while directing that no coercive action be taken against him until the next hearing.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has permitted a short extension of police custody for former Telangana Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) chief T Prabhakar Rao in the high-profile phone-tapping investigation, while simultaneously shielding him from any coercive action beyond December 25.
A Bench led by Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan ruled that Rao must be released after questioning concludes on December 26, and scheduled the matter for further hearing on January 16, 2026.
The ruling came after the Telangana government sought additional custody, arguing that Rao’s cooperation with investigators remained incomplete despite his surrender. While the Court accepted the State’s plea in part, it declined to grant a full week of custody, opting instead for a narrowly tailored extension with strict safeguards.
Representing the State, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Court that Rao had failed to comply with earlier directions, particularly regarding access to cloud-based digital accounts. According to the prosecution, these accounts contain information vital to uncovering the alleged surveillance framework.
The State further alleged that surveillance was conducted under the cover of intelligence operations aimed at tracking extremist elements, but was allegedly misused to monitor specific individuals without legal sanction.
Rao’s counsel, Senior Advocate Ranjeet Kumar, rejected the accusations, contending that the investigation had crossed permissible limits. He submitted that Rao was subjected to prolonged daily questioning, amounting to harassment rather than lawful interrogation.
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The phone-tapping controversy surfaced in 2024 after the Telangana High Court intervened suo motu, citing disturbing allegations of widespread illegal interception during the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) administration.
The alleged surveillance reportedly extended to political opponents, journalists, activists, and members of the judiciary, triggering debates on privacy, abuse of state machinery, and constitutional safeguards.
Digital evidence has become central to the investigation. Earlier, the Supreme Court had ordered Rao to cooperate with forensic experts and provide credentials for cloud storage services, expressing concern over possible tampering or concealment of electronic evidence.
The State has since claimed that new forensic data has emerged from digital platforms, which it says strengthens the case against Rao and others allegedly involved in the operation.
Four police officials, including a suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police, were arrested earlier in the probe on charges of deleting intelligence records and facilitating unauthorised surveillance. All have been released on bail, though the investigation continues.
Case Title:
T. Prabhakar Rao v. The State of Telangana
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