The Telangana High Court has temporarily halted the arrest of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and former minister T Harish Rao, who is implicated in a phone-tapping case involving Congress leader G Chakradhar Goud.
The bench, led by Justice K Laxman, issued directives to the police to continue their investigation but refrained from making any immediate arrests.
Justice Laxman emphasized the need for Harish Rao’s cooperation in the inquiry and instructed the police to issue proper notices while proceeding with the investigation. Notices were also sent to the complainant, Chakradhar Goud, with the court adjourning the matter to a later date.
Allegations & Defense
The case stems from a complaint filed by Goud, a Congress leader and real estate businessman, who accused Harish Rao of tapping his phone and those of 20 family members during the previous BRS government.
Goud lodged his complaint with Punjagutta police on December 1, alleging that the phone tapping occurred during last year’s assembly elections with the assistance of Praneeth Rao, another accused in the case.
Charges against Harish Rao include criminal conspiracy (IPC Section 120B), extortion (Section 386), criminal breach of trust (Section 409), and criminal intimidation (Section 506), along with violations of the IT Act under Section 66.
In response, Harish Rao filed a petition in the High Court, asserting that the allegations are baseless and lack any supporting evidence. He contended that the case was filed without a preliminary investigation, deeming it politically motivated to tarnish his reputation and career.
Arrest Over Police Obstruction
In a separate incident, the Banjara Hills police arrested Harish Rao and another BRS MLA, Padi Kaushik Reddy, for obstructing police operations. The arrests followed a scuffle at Kaushik Reddy’s residence, where police had arrived to apprehend him in a case related to alleged misconduct with officers.
Harish Rao reportedly intervened to prevent Kaushik Reddy’s arrest, prompting the police to detain both leaders. The duo was taken to Gachibowli police station, where a large gathering of BRS supporters demonstrated against the state government, raising slogans in their defense.
Political Implications
The developments come as a blow to the BRS, with the incidents creating political ripples in Telangana. While Harish Rao continues to deny the allegations, the ongoing investigations and arrests have drawn significant public and political attention.
The High Court’s intervention provides temporary relief for Harish Rao, but the legal and political battles ahead remain challenging for the BRS leader.
