Phone-tapping Case: Retired DCP Radhakishan Rao arrested, remanded till April 12

HYDERABAD: In a significant development related to the phone tapping case, Radhakishan Rao, a retired DCP of Hyderabad Task Force and subsequently an OSD, was arrested by the police following an intensive interrogation at the Banjara Hills police station. The investigation, led by West Zone DCP Vijay Kumar, has resulted in Rao's arrest after hours of questioning. He was presented in court and subjected to judicial custody till April 12, 2024.

The interrogation was kept a closely-guarded secret with the closure of gates at the police station.

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It is learned that Radhakishan Rao was arrested based on statements provided by suspended DSP Dugyala Praneeth Rao, besides cases being booked on two additional SPs, retired IG Prabhakar Rao, and a media company manager. Following Praneeth Rao's statements, searches were made at the residences of the individuals involved in the case that led to the arrest of two additional SPs, Bhujangarao and Thirupatanna, while the remaining three suspects are believed to have fled the country, prompting the issuance of lookout notices by the police.

During the interrogation, specific inquiries were made into the field-level operations conducted under Radhakishan Rao's instructions, particularly concerning phone-tapping activities and raids targeting hawala transactions. The investigation also delved into allegations of illicit financial gains obtained through threats against traders, with evidence reportedly collected on these various charges.

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With the arrest of Radhakishan, as many as four police personnel were arrested in the case so far.