Phone Tapping Case: Praneeth Rao Demoted

A major development has taken place in the Telangana phone tapping case. The state government has revoked the DSP rank of Praneeth Rao, who is an accused in the case. Allegations suggest that he played a key role in the phone tapping operations during the previous government’s tenure. As a result, the Revanth Reddy led government cancelled the accelerated promotion that was earlier granted to him.

Praneeth Rao has now been demoted from the DSP rank to the level of Circle Inspector. Official orders in this regard were issued by Home Department Principal Secretary CV Anand. With this decision, Praneeth Rao will continue his service only as an Inspector. Accelerated promotions are usually awarded to officers for exceptional service, particularly in counter-terror operations.

Praneeth Rao was the only officer among nearly 300 Sub Inspectors of the 2007 batch to receive such a promotion under the previous KCR government, which had sparked controversy even then. Following the exposure of the phone tapping case, the Revanth government suspended him. Investigators have reportedly questioned Praneeth Rao multiple times and gathered crucial information during the probe.