Controversies Cloud the Image of Warangal Police Commissionerate

In a span of just a few months, the department has witnessed a string of high-profile suspensions of several police officers for alleged professional misconduct and corruption.

On Wednesday, police commissioner Sunpreet Singh suspended three staff members. Head constable M. Yadagiri has been suspended for running an illegal money-lending business. The matter came to surface after Yadagiri attacked the house of a person who could not pay him back. Another head constable T. Ramulu attracted suspension for being drunk while on night duty at the Hasanparthy police station. A constable named Ramesh of Chennaraopet police station has been suspended for refusing to follow the orders of his senior officer.

These suspensions come in the wake of the CP suspending four days ago two sub-inspectors, Ravi Kumar of Narsampet police station and Praveen Kumar, who is currently attached to the City Armed Reserve (CAR) headquarters.

The suspensions follow a comprehensive internal inquiry that confirmed allegations of procedural irregularities. This followed closely on the heels of the suspension of Atmakur SI Satish 10 days ago after a probe against him verified charges of corruption and gross negligence in handling criminal cases.

In another case recently, Mills Colony sub-inspector M. Suresh had been placed under suspension after an inquiry proved he had been accepting bribes and providing undue favour to local political leaders in various disputes. This incident mirrored a previous scandal at the same police station involving SI Srikanth, who is facing criminal charges under the SC / ST Atrocities Act for allegedly assaulting a Dalit woman.

The department’s image took a severe beating following the case of circle inspector Venkataratnam. He had been suspended for allegedly filing a false case against a person who had died nine years ago to influence a land dispute. Further, the CI is also accused of sexually harassing a female suspect within the station premises.

Beyond these individual cases, there are growing allegations of a deeper nexus between certain police officials and local mafias involved in illegal land, sand, and soil excavation. Incidents of taking bribes and harassment have surfaced from within jurisdictions of police stations including Mills Colony, Matwada and Intezarganj.

Police commissioner Sunpreet Singh told Deccan Chronicle that they are cracking the whip against errant officials based on reports from the special branch and vigilance wing. These incidents came to light because of their internal monitoring. If they had not taken action and suspended them, these matters would have gone unnoticed.

Legal experts and civil society members have expressed concern that if the department does not maintain a high standard of integrity, the common citizen may lose all hope of finding justice within a police station.

Given the circumstances, Warangal police are at crossroads, struggling to restore a legacy of trust that has been heavily compromised by the actions of a few within their own ranks.Karimnagar Police Commissionerate faces criticism over staff misconduct

Karimnagar police commissionerate is facing a lot of public anger due to several controversial incidents involving some sub-Inspectors and constables, who have been accused of breaking law and misusing their power.

One of the most shocking incidents involved sub-inspector Kadire Srikanth, who had recently joined the Jammikunta Police Station. The SI is accused of raping and attacking a woman he met on social media. Following a complaint from the victim, a case has been filed against Srikanth at the Subedari Police Station in Hanamkonda on April 15.

In another event in Karimnagar city, sub-inspector N. Chaitanya Chander from Three-Town Police Station had been suspended after a video of him went viral. The officer had gone to a barber shop in Khanpura for a shave. When the barber P. Ramu politely said, ‘Please sit, Anna (brother),’ the officer became very angry. The shop's cameras showed the officer shouting at and attacking the worker. People on social media called this a ‘khaki ego trip’ and demanded justice for the worker.

Barber Ramu said he only addressed the SI respectfully, as he addressed all his customers. He has requested senior officials to do justice to him.

Additionally, senior officials have punished three constables of Veenavanka Police Station for taking bribes from people illegally transporting sand and getting involved in private land disputes.

Police commissioner Ghouse Alam told Deccan Chronicle that action has been taken against these staff to serve as a deterrent. Police officials must be responsible for their actions, even in their personal lives, he maintained.

On the issue of Jammikunta SI Srikanth, the commissioner maintained that in case evidence is found, the sub-inspector will be arrested.

In this regard, people are questioning the internal mechanisms within the police department for checking such cases. They say police must behave properly to win back the trust of the common man.