Sat Dec 07 10:09:42 UTC 2024: **Telangana High Court Issues Notices in Police Officer’s Bail Plea**
HYDERABAD, December 7, 2024 – The Telangana High Court has issued notices to senior police officials in response to a bail petition filed by suspended DSP Dugyala Praneeth, an accused in a telephone tapping case. Praneeth, the second accused, has been incarcerated for nearly nine months.
The notices were sent to the Special Chief Secretary (Home), Hyderabad Police Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West-Hyderabad), Panjagutta Assistant Commissioner of Police, and the investigating officer of the case. They must respond by December 23.
Praneeth, formerly of the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB), is accused of tapping phones at the behest of political bosses during the BRS government’s tenure. The case stems from a complaint by an Additional SP of SIB. The first accused, former SIB chief T. Prabhakar Rao, has reportedly fled the country and sought political asylum in the U.S.
Praneeth’s lawyer argued that the investigation is complete, citing the filing of the charge sheet. However, the government pleader countered that the investigation remains incomplete due to the absconding of the first and sixth accused and the need for further information.
While other accused in the case have pursued separate bail applications, some with varying degrees of success, the High Court’s decision on Praneeth’s plea is pending.
First Piper 