Phone tapping case accused Prabhakar Rao’s passport revoked

The Union government has revoked the passport of retired IPS officer T. Prabhakar Rao, prime accused in the sensational case of eavesdropping on phone calls of politicians, bureaucrats and a judge of High Court.

According to police records, Mr. Rao fled the country soon after learning about the registration of the phone tapping case by Punjagutta police in March 2024. He is absconding and hiding in the USA.

With the revoking of his passport, the absconding officer would have no choice but to return to India. He had already filed a criminal petition in the Telangana High Court seeking anticipatory bail in case of his arrest after returning to India.

“But the revoking of passport would mean that he can no longer stay in USA. Already, a red-corner notice was issued for him by the INTERPOL,” a top police officer associated with the investigation said on condition of anonymity.

The officer said that passports of both Sravan Kumar Rao, another accused who had also reportedly fled the country but returned to India, and Mr. Rao were revoked. The investigating officers had written to the Central government to revoke their passports citing the phone tapping case and the need to take them into police custody for questioning.

Mr. Prabhakar Rao joined the Police Department as Deputy Superintendent of Police after being selected for Group-I service. He eventually got conferred IPS and held key posts in the department. While serving as Special Intelligence Branch IGP, he was given Full Additional Charge of State Intelligence wing.

After retirement, the then BRS government extended his service and appointed him as Chief of Operations in the department. Serious allegations were levelled against him as the investigation progressed.

On learning that he fled to USA, Telangana police pursued with the Union government to get a red-corner notice issued against him. Though the notice was issued, the INTERPOL did not mention about it on its website suggesting the possibility of him escaping or getting alerted.

“Earlier, he tried to get political asylum in USA, citing political vendetta in Telangana. But that plea was reportedly dismissed there,” said an officer seeking anonymity.