Malkajgiri Police Commissioner goes undercover to assess women’s safety

Malkajgiri Police Commissioner B Sumathi went undercover on her first day to assess women’s safety in Hyderabad. She faced harassment at a bus stand before police intervened. Instead of filing cases, she counselled the youths and stressed respect for women.

Hyderabad: In a move to assess ground realities of women’s safety, Malkajgiri Police Commissioner, B Sumathi, carried out a covert operation at public spots shortly after midnight on the very first day of taking charge as the Commissioner.

Setting aside her official identity, Sumathi posed as an ordinary woman and stood alone at the bus stand in Dilsukhnagar and other locations to directly experience the challenges faced by women in public spaces during late hours.

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Within a short span, a group of youths began approaching her, engaging in inappropriate conversations that reflected common forms of harassment encountered by women. As the situation escalated, nearly 40 individuals gathered around her, subjecting her to persistent questioning and uncomfortable interactions. Police sources said a majority of those involved were students and mostly from nearby hostels.

Unaware that the woman they were targeting was the city’s top cop, the group continued their behaviour until pre-deployed police teams moved in swiftly. The officers intervened and detained the individuals.

Instead of registering immediate criminal cases, the Commissioner opted for counselling, warning the youths about the legal consequences of harassment and the importance of respecting women in public spaces. She emphasised that ensuring women’s safety would be a top priority and that similar surprise checks and covert operations would continue across vulnerable locations.

This was not the first time Sumathi had taken such a step. Around 25 years ago, during her early career as a Deputy Superintendent of Police near Kazipet railway station, she conducted a similar operation to assess women’s safety firsthand.

Setting aside her official identity, Sumathi posed as an ordinary woman and stood alone at the bus stand in Dilsukhnagar and other locations to directly experience the challenges faced by women in public spaces during late hours.

Within a short span, a group of youths began approaching her, engaging in inappropriate conversations that reflected common forms of harassment encountered by women. As the situation escalated, nearly 40 individuals gathered around her, subjecting her to persistent questioning and uncomfortable interactions. Police sources said a majority of those involved were students and mostly from nearby hostels.

Unaware that the woman they were targeting was the city’s top cop, the group continued their behaviour until pre-deployed police teams moved in swiftly. The officers intervened and detained the individuals.

Instead of registering immediate criminal cases, the Commissioner opted for counselling, warning the youths about the legal consequences of harassment and the importance of respecting women in public spaces. She emphasised that ensuring women’s safety would be a top priority and that similar surprise checks and covert operations would continue across vulnerable locations.

This was not the first time Sumathi had taken such a step. Around 25 years ago, during her early career as a Deputy Superintendent of Police near Kazipet railway station, she conducted a similar operation to assess women’s safety firsthand.