Former BRS MLA questioned for two hours by SIT

Hyderabad:In a dubious distinction, BRS former legislator Chirumurthy Lingaiah on Thursday became the first political leader to appear for questioning in front of the SIT investigation officer (IO) P. Venkatagiri who is probing the unauthorised phone tapping case.

On being asked to surrender his mobile phone, Lingaiah replaced his mobile instrument and changed his number. He said he had no more use of the instrument that he had as MLA of Nakrekal. Authorities can retrieve technical evidence from the instrument, reliable police sources said.

After questioning him, the police recorded his statement and collected details.

The investigators have found evidence allegedly showing communication between the suspended additional superintendent of police M. Tirupatanna, who was in the intelligence department, and Lingaiah.

The evidence showed that some BRS leaders forwarded contact numbers of a few persons to Tirupatanna during the Munugode bypoll in November 2022.

Meanwhile, speaking to mediapersons after appearing before investigators, Lingaiah, who was questioned for two hours by the SIT, refuted the allegations and said that he was not involved in the phone-tapping case. He also said he would cooperate with the investigation team.

A leading telecom service provider replied to the investigating officer and confirmed phone tapping of two persons, who are close associates of MLA Nomula Veeresham, police sources said.