New Delhi – The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed former chief of Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) in Telangana T Prabhakar Rao, an accused in the phone-tapping case, to submit password of his iCloud account to the state police in the presence of forensic experts.

A bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan also extended interim protection from coercive action to Rao and directed him to appear before the investigation officer, and cooperate in the investigation.

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the investigation was not progressing due to Rao's“non-cooperation”and alleged that he had formatted electronic devices and destroyed vital evidence while under the court's protective order.

“He was intercepting phones of important people, not just politicians. After filing of anticipatory bail application he formatted the device. It is as good as a new device. It is not my surmise. The Central Forensic Science Laboratory says that.

“It is our case that he has a backup because he purchased 15 hard discs. But he says he doesn't have anything. He is not cooperating because of the protective umbrella of this court's interim protection,” Mehta told the court.

Senior advocate D S Naidu, appearing for Rao, vehemently refuted the allegations and said Rao was fully cooperating with the probe.

Naidu contended that investigation was politically motivated and alleged that“outsiders, politicians, MPs and MLAs” were allowed to question him during interrogation.

Justice Nagarathna then remarked,”It cannot be a 'tamasha'. How can MPs and MLAs come in and interrogate? They cannot be spectators or part of the investigation.”

Mehat denied the allegation.

The matter is posted for hearing on November 18.

The apex court on May 29 granted interim protection from coercive action to Rao and directed him to give an undertaking that he would return to India within three days after the receipt of his passport.

Rao has moved the top court challenging an order of the Telangana High Court which dismissed his plea seeking anticipatory bail.

On May 22, a Hyderabad court issued a proclamation order against Rao in the phone tapping case.

According to the order, Rao may be declared a“proclaimed offender” if he does not appear before the court by June 20.

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