Transport Dept Earns ₹7,097 Cr in FY26

Hyderabad:The transport department reported revenue of ₹7,097.38 crore for the financial year 2025–26, registering a growth of 2.70 per cent over the previous year. According to an official statement, the department achieved 83.16 per cent of its revenue target of ₹8,535 crore during the year.

The revenue was generated from multiple sources, including ₹4,714.63 crore from lifetime taxes, ₹961.02 crore from quarterly taxes, ₹78.35 crore from green tax, ₹820.09 crore from fees and service charges, ₹212.49 crore from inspections and ₹310.80 crore from challans.

The department also said it granted tax exemptions worth ₹769.81 crore for 91,637 electric vehicles during the year. Officials said the figures reflect steady growth in collections and continued incentives for adoption of electric vehicles.

Kishan Reddy welcomes Rs 619.85 crore release by the centre for Gram Panchayats in the state

Hyderabad:Union minister G. Kishan Reddy welcomed the release of `619.85 crore to gram panchayats in Telangana, stating that the Centre, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, remained committed to strengthening panchayats. The funds, covering 2025-26, include ‘tied grants’ of `371.91 crore and ‘untied grants’ of `247.94 crore.

Pointing out that the total allocation under the 14th and 15th Finance Commissions stood at `14,110 crore, Kishan Reddy said `11,111 crore had been released before January. For FY 2024-25, an additional `1,032.42 crore has been disbursed since January 2026, following the panchayat elections.

Under the 16th Finance Commission, Telangana was slated to receive `9,968 crore in grants from the Centre for the period 2026-31.

Boy goes missing with Rs 8 lakh cash

Hyderabad:A 17-year-old boy from KPHB Colony went missing reportedly on Thursday, taking away `8 lakh in cash and about nine tolas of gold ornaments and leaving behind a note stating he would return after doubling the money.

According to police, the minor had discontinued his studies and was addicted to online betting. The boy left home without informing his family. His parents later found his purported handwritten letter in which he stated that he was leaving voluntarily and would return after multiplying the money.

The family initially believed he would return on his own, but after he failed to come back, they approached the KPHB police and lodged a complaint. Police registered a missing case and launched a search. Efforts are underway to trace him.

Community Dogs Killed in Yellammagutta

Hyderabad:Police in Nizamabad have registered an FIR in the alleged killing of community dogs in Yellammagutta, following a complaint backed by animal welfare groups and the intervention of former Union minister Maneka Gandhi. The case names unknown persons and a vehicle driver.

The incident is said to have taken place on March 23 around 11 pm in the Yellammagutta area. Individuals linked to the Nizamabad Municipal Corporation allegedly killed several community dogs by administering poisonous injections. A vehicle was reportedly used to remove the carcasses.

The complaint was filed at the Fourth Town police station by Adulapuram Goutham of the Stray Animal Foundation of India (SAFI) after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India shared supporting material. Gandhi spoke to the Nizamabad police commissioner after which the FIR was registered. Local residents told SAFI that similar incidents may have taken place over the past few months within municipal limits.

Police registered the case under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which deals with killing or maiming animals and carries punishment of up to five years’ imprisonment, or a fine, or both. Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which prohibits causing unnecessary pain or suffering to animals, has also been invoked.

“This incident points to a deeply disturbing pattern of cruelty,” said PETA India legal adviser and director of cruelty response Meet Ashar. “Such violence reflects a profound moral collapse that can even lead to violence toward humans and other animals.”

Animal welfare groups pointed to the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, which permit the capture of community dogs only for sterilisation. The rules state that dogs must be released back into the same area after the procedure. The Supreme Court, in an order dated August 22, 2025, reiterated this position.

PETA India said incidents of abuse often linked to wider behavioural concerns. The organisation cited a study published in Forensic Research & Criminology International Journal which found that people involved in cruelty to animals were more likely to commit other offences, including violent crimes.

The group also repeated its demand for stronger penalties under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, calling existing fines outdated. It has submitted proposals to the central government seeking higher punishments for such offences. They said, “The solution is simple: sterilisation. Sterilising one female dog can prevent 67,000 births over six years, and sterilising one female cat can prevent 420,000 births over seven years.”

Staffers Held for Tobacco Sale Near School

Hyderabad:The TG-EAGLE Force in coordination with local police caught staffers at a pan shop, a tea stall and a kirana shop, located close to the Telangana Model High School and Junior College, Shankerpally, for allegedly selling tobacco products to minors. The shops were also booked for being located within 100 yards of the school under the COTPA Act and JJ Act.

EAGLE Force director Sandeep Shandilya said that previously, in coordination with the local police, the force had booked cases against three pan shops at Jadcherla in Mahbubnagar district for running their business within 100 yards to educational Institutions and selling the tobacco products to about 10 students of the Badepally Government High School.

Shandilya said the students had been counselled in the presence of their parents and teachers about the ill-effects of tobacco addiction. He said complaints with regard to tobacco outlets located close to educational institutions could be lodged on the tollfree No. 1908.

ASI Arrested for Taking ₹15,000 Bribe

Hyderabad:The ACB arrested Chaitanpapuri assistant sub-inspector Poosala Balaiah for allegedly demanding and accepting a `15,000 bribe to alter sections under which a complaint was booked and facilitate compromising a criminal case in the Lok Adalat. The person from whom the bribe was demanded approached the ACB. The inspector was later produced before a special court for remand.

The ACB said those facing demands for bribes could lodge complaints on the tollfree Number 1064. The ACB can also be contacted through WhatsApp on 9440446106. Facebook (Telangana ACB) and the website http://acb.telangana.gov.in A statement said details of the complainant would be kept confidential.

Man Aspires to Become Actor, Dies at Film Production Unit

Hyderabad:Based on a viral video on Thursday showing five persons riding a motorcycle, Saifabad police tracked them down and arrested them for “extreme overloading” and performing dangerous stunts on roads. The accused were sighted at about 1 am on March 29 travelling on the two-wheeler from the Telangana Talli flyover junction towards the TG Secretariat.

Saidabad police station house officer said the overloaded bike with the occupants not wearing helmets posing a severe risk to themselves and to other commuters. Police identified the arrested accused as Vaddi Arjun, who was riding the bike; Arupu Rohit, Chinthakunta Anja Kumar; Siddam Koushik and Vallapu Murali. He said the police had booked cases for endangering life or personal safety of others and rash driving in Crime No. 112 of 2026. The bike has been seized.

13 Detained, Counselled During Checks

Hyderabad: The Tappachabutra police during surprise checks under `Mission Chabutra` detained 13 persons for alleged unlawful assembly late on Wednesday night. Tappachabutra station house officer G. Balarkishna said the youths who were spending time in groups till midnight were detained and counselled. The two suspects were interrogated and their previous criminal records were being checked, police said. Twelve cell phones were seized from them.

Excise Cops Nab Man on Drug Peddling Charges

Hyderabad:Excise and enforcement police arrested one Md Abdulla for allegedly peddling in drugs and seized 8.6 grams of cocaine, 8.5 grams charas and four grams of MDMA (Ecstasy), all worth `2 lakh, from his possession. Inspector Chandrasekhar of the Medak district enforcement team said the accused was arrested at the Kamkole toll plaza in Sangareddy district based on a tip off. Police said Abdulla was heading to the city from Bihar in a bus when he was arrested.