Overview

• A bench led by Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma barred all coercive measures and granted interim protection until the next hearing on August 5.
• The court directed the chief passport officer to return Rao’s passport or travel documents for travel only to India and required him to file an affidavit pledging to appear before investigators within three days of receipt.
• Rao, the main accused in the phone-tapping case, is believed to be in the United States and faces a Red Corner Notice after his passport was revoked by the Union government.
• On May 22, a Hyderabad court issued a proclamation order warning that Rao could be declared a proclaimed offender and have his assets attached if he fails to appear by June 20.
• The case centers on allegations that Rao and several SIB officers misused intelligence resources under the previous BRS regime to conduct political surveillance on leaders, bureaucrats and others.