Hyderabad: The Telangana government has cancelled the promotion of police officer Praneeth Kumar to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in connection with the high-profile phone-tapping case, reverting him to his earlier post of Circle Inspector.
Official sources said the decision follows the emergence of Kumar’s alleged role in unlawful surveillance operations carried out during the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government. The promotion has been withdrawn citing “serious misconduct,” with departmental and criminal investigations still underway.
Allegations of Misuse of Intelligence Infrastructure
According to the government order, Kumar, while posted with the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB), misused a dedicated leased-line internet connection assigned to the Special Operations Team (SOT) under his supervision, bypassing established legal procedures. Authorities believe the connection was allegedly used to facilitate sensitive surveillance activities without proper authorisation.
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Destruction of Digital Evidence Under Scrutiny
The order further states that Kumar allegedly oversaw the removal and replacement of 42 hard disks from desktop and laptop systems housed in the SOT logger room. Investigators say the move was aimed at erasing critical digital evidence, including Call Detail Records (CDRs), IMEI data and Internet Protocol Detail Records (IPDRs), linked to targeted monitoring operations.
Officials probing the case believe the destruction of data was intended to eliminate traces of surveillance on specific individuals. Forensic teams are now attempting to recover residual information from servers and related systems to reconstruct the digital trail.
Political Fallout and Expanding Investigation
Praneeth Kumar had been promoted from Circle Inspector to DSP during the previous BRS administration. The current government has now annulled that order, stating that the promotion was granted at a time when serious questions had already surfaced regarding his conduct.
The phone-tapping controversy has triggered major political fallout in Telangana, with allegations that opposition leaders, business figures and journalists were placed under covert surveillance. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is currently examining the alleged network behind the operation and identifying officials involved at various levels.
Sources familiar with the probe said investigators are analysing technical logs, server access records and financial trails to determine how the surveillance was authorised and who issued operational instructions. Several former and serving officials are already under scrutiny as part of the expanding investigation.
Opposition parties have accused the previous regime of institutional misuse, arguing that illegal surveillance undermined democratic norms and civil liberties. They have demanded a court-monitored investigation to ensure accountability at the highest levels.
The state government, however, maintains that the SIT is functioning independently and has been given a free hand to pursue the case without political interference. Officials reiterated that no individual—regardless of rank—will be spared if evidence establishes wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, forensic examination of seized digital devices has been intensified, and additional questioning of officers linked to the intelligence and operations units is expected in the coming days. Government sources said more administrative action cannot be ruled out as the investigation progresses.
