Delhi, 19 December (H.S.): The Supreme Court on Friday extended the police custody of T Prabhakar Rao, former chief of Telangana's Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB), until December 25 in the high-profile illegal phone-tapping case, emphasizing the need for thorough interrogation.

A bench led by Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan directed Rao's release on December 26 post-interrogation, while prohibiting any coercive measures against him until the next hearing. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the state, informed the court that Rao had surrendered but remained uncooperative, submitting a detailed status report to justify the one-week extension.

The case originated from an FIR filed in March 2024 by Punjagutta police, accusing Rao and five others of unauthorized surveillance on political figures and citizens during the 2023 Telangana assembly elections under the previous BRS regime. Rao, who fled abroad amid the probe, returned following Supreme Court orders in May 2025 for an emergency travel document and surrendered on December 12 as mandated on December 11.

Investigators allege Rao destroyed electronic evidence, including formatting devices and withholding iCloud credentials despite court directives. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), recently formed by the Telangana government, has grilled him extensively since his surrender.

The bench clarified the extension served the investigation's interest without prejudice to Rao's arguments, upholding prior orders for his cooperation. Telangana authorities aim to fast-track the probe through the SIT, with the matter now listed for further hearing post-release.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar