SIT to take help from AP police to arrest IT GRIDS chief

Hyderabad: Special Investigation Team, constituted to probe data theft case, is considering seeking help of Andhra Pradesh police in their hunt for suspect in the case. New fact may come up in the investigation, it is felt.

It may be recalled that a criminal case was registered against IT Grids India Private Limited company management for illegally getting access to the personal information and sensitive data of citizens in Andhra Pradesh. The company had stored the data in Seva Mitra mobile app, which was developed for Andhra Pradesh government.

The police conducted searches in the IT Grids office at Madhapur. The IT Grids chairman D Ashok is absconding, and he failed to respond to notices issued by the police. A lookout notice has been issued against him.

When the alleged data theft became a contentious issue between the two Telugu States, the Telangana government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the leadership of M Stephen Ravindra, the Inspector General of Police, West Zone, to probe the issue.

After assuming the charge, the SIT officials collected all the data and the electronic material seized by the Cyberabad and Hyderabad police and intensified the investigation. The SIT officials conducted searches in the office of IT Grids company and interrogated the employees of the company.

Based on the information furnished by the complainants T Lokeswara Reddy and G Dasharatha Rami Reddy, who alleged that the company had stolen sensitive and personal data relating to the voters, the SIT officials by using ethical hackers retrieved the data from the hard discs and computers in IT Grids office.

Later they issued notices to the prime suspect D Ashok to appear before them and clarify the questions regarding the whole issue. After not responding to their notices, the police formed four teams to nab him. The police teams were dispatched to various places in Telugu States and also to Bengaluru and Chennai.

The SIT police even sought court's permission to arrest Ashok. In view of general elections, no decision was taken. With the change of government in Andhra Pradesh now, the SIT officials are considering seeking help from Andhra Pradesh police to apprehend Ashok. The officials suspect that Ashok is taking shelter in Andhra Pradesh with the help of a political party.

The investigating officers said facts in the case cannot be uncovered unless Ashok is taken into custody and interrogated. Meanwhile, the State government is reportedly taking steps to appoint a new chief to the SIT as Stephen Ravindra is tipped to be transferred to Andhra Pradesh.

-M Yanadi Reddy