Former Telangana chief minister and BRS president K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) has been summoned for questioning for the first time in connection with the alleged phone-tapping case linked to his tenure in office.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the case, served a notice at KCR’s residence in Hyderabad on Thursday, asking him to appear before investigators on Friday at 3 pm. Considering his age, the SIT has allowed KCR to choose a convenient location within Hyderabad for questioning under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Allegations linked to previous BRS government

The case relates to allegations that during the earlier BRS government, officials of the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) illegally intercepted phone conversations of politicians, journalists, businessmen and others without obtaining mandatory authorisation.

Following the change of government in Telangana in 2023, an FIR was registered in 2024 after the Congress-led administration under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy assumed office. A Special Investigation Team was subsequently constituted to probe the matter.

Senior police officers named in FIR

The FIR names several former senior police officials and others as accused, including former SIB chief T Prabhakar Rao, DSP D Praneeth Rao, Additional SPs N Bhujanga Rao and M Thirupathanna, former DCP Radha Kishan Rao, and television channel owner Shravan Kumar Rao.

While some of the accused are currently out on bail, others have secured interim protection from arrest as the investigation continues.

BRS leaders questioned earlier

Before summoning KCR, the SIT had questioned multiple senior leaders of the BRS. His nephew and senior leader T Harish Rao appeared before investigators on January 19, followed by BRS Working President and his son KT Rama Rao (KTR), who was questioned for nearly seven hours on January 23. Another nephew, Joginapally Santosh Rao, was questioned on January 28.

Political reactions sharpen

The BRS has accused the Congress government of using the probe as a tool for political vendetta. KTR alleged that the investigation was aimed at diverting public attention from the ruling party’s failure to fulfil election promises. He said KCR, who played a key role in the formation and development of Telangana, was being targeted through what he described as “revenge politics”.

The Congress, however, rejected the allegations and defended the SIT’s action. Party leaders said the investigation was being conducted strictly in accordance with the law and insisted that questioning all concerned individuals was essential to ensure accountability.

A meeting between senior Nationalist Congress Party leaders and Sunetra Pawar, the wife of late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has sparked intense speculation about the party’s future leadership, just hours after his funeral in Baramati.

Senior NCP leaders Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal and Dhananjay Munde met Sunetra Pawar on Thursday. While sources claimed the leaders urged her to consider taking up the deputy chief minister’s post, Bhujbal publicly dismissed such claims, stating that it was merely a courtesy visit and that no political discussion took place following Ajit Pawar’s death in the plane crash on Wednesday.

Adding to the political buzz, senior NCP leader and Maharashtra FDA Minister Narhari Zirwal said that people across the state want Sunetra Pawar to be part of the cabinet.

Sunetra Pawar is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha. With a bye-election due in the Baramati Assembly constituency — a seat Ajit Pawar represented continuously since 1991 — speculation has grown that a member of the Pawar family will be fielded. Political circles are discussing the possible candidature of Ajit Pawar’s sons, Parth Pawar or Jay Pawar.

However, for Sunetra Pawar to assume the post of deputy chief minister, she would need to secure a seat either in the legislative assembly or the legislative council.

Leadership vacuum concerns within NCP

Political analysts believe Ajit Pawar’s death has left a significant leadership vacuum within the NCP. Groomed over decades by Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar commanded authority and organisational control that few within the party can replicate.

According to analysts, leaders such as Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel could attempt to position themselves at the helm of the party unless a reunification with the Sharad Pawar-led faction takes place — a development that could dramatically alter the political landscape.

The urgency within the NCP is also being linked to its recent electoral setbacks, particularly in the municipal corporation elections, where the party failed to gain control of key civic bodies such as Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Any prolonged uncertainty, analysts warn, could further weaken the party’s position.

Sharad Pawar faction hints at merger talks

Meanwhile, the Sharad Pawar-led faction of the NCP indicated that Ajit Pawar had spoken about resolving differences between the two groups.

The faction’s Maharashtra president said Ajit Pawar had suggested discussions on a possible merger after the completion of local body elections, including Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti polls scheduled for February 5.

He added that Ajit Pawar wanted both factions to come together and maintain family unity, describing him as an emotional leader who felt it was time to end internal divisions. Whether these efforts move forward now, he said, remains to be seen.

On the question of joining the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, the leader said it was too early to comment, noting that discussions on reconciliation would have to take precedence before any decision on alliances.

Silver prices surged to a historic high in futures trade on Thursday, crossing the Rs 4 lakh per kilogram mark on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), while gold also touched a lifetime high, driven by strong investor demand and firm trends in global markets.

On the MCX, silver futures for March delivery jumped Rs 22,090, or 5.73 per cent, to hit an all-time high of Rs 4,07,456 per kilogram during the session.

Gold futures also saw heavy buying interest. The yellow metal for February delivery surged Rs 14,586, or 8.8 per cent, to touch a new peak of Rs 1,80,501 per 10 grams on the domestic exchange.

Global markets support bullion rally

In the international market, gold futures on the Comex crossed the USD 5,600 per ounce level for the first time. The April delivery contract rose USD 286.6, or 5.4 per cent, to scale a fresh record high of USD 5,626.8 per ounce.

Silver futures on the Comex also advanced sharply, touching a new lifetime high of USD 119.51 per ounce in overseas trade.

Demand, weak dollar and safe-haven buying lift prices

Analysts attributed the sharp rise in silver prices to strong industrial demand and a weaker US dollar, noting that silver has been outperforming gold in recent trading sessions.

They also said continued safe-haven buying amid economic uncertainties and rising geopolitical tensions has supported the sustained rally in precious metal prices globally.