Telangana High Court questions SI over alleged manhandling of retired police officer

The Telangana High Court strongly questioned a Madhuranagar Sub-Inspector over allegations of forcibly dragging a retired police officer from his home. The court sought a report from the Commissioner of Police and posted the matter for further hearing on July 15

Hyderabad: Justice T Madhavi Devi of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday came down heavily on a Madhuranagar Sub-Inspector accused of forcibly dragging a 70-year-old retired police officer from his house, asking, “Will you do whatever you want merely because you are a police officer?”

The sharp observations came during the hearing of a writ petition filed by former Sub-Inspector Mohammed Usman, alleging that he was forcibly taken away by the police from his residence at Yousufguda on May 18 and seeking action against the officials concerned and compensation.

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The court examined photographs placed on record and observed that they clearly showed the petitioner being forcibly taken away.

Questioning the conduct of the police, Justice Madhavi Devi asked the officer to explain why the petitioner was dragged out of his house wearing only a lungi and banyan and left helpless on the road while being taken to the police station.

The judge further questioned whether the petitioner had been informed of the reasons for being taken to the police station and observed that even if the petitioner’s son was involved in a criminal case, a retired police officer could not be treated in such a manner.

Government Pleader for Home Mahesh Raje submitted that the petitioner’s son was an accused in a 2023 case involving an attack on police personnel and that the petitioner was allegedly sheltering him.

Seeking time to place the facts on record, he requested permission to file a comprehensive counter-affidavit.

Expressing displeasure over the failure of the authorities to respond to the court’s earlier directions, Justice Madhavi Devi observed that the court might have to summon the Commissioner of Police to ascertain how its proceedings were being treated.

The court directed the Government Pleader to obtain a report from the Commissioner of Police on the petitioner’s complaint and adjourned the matter to July 15 for further hearing.