Telangana

Polling for the third and final phase of gram panchayat elections began across Telangana on Wednesday, with voting underway in 3,752 villages to decide Sarpanch and ward member posts amid tight security and extensive election arrangements.

Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar will deliver his verdict on disqualification petitions against five BRS MLAs who defected to the Congress, a day before the Supreme Court’s deadline, amid warnings of contempt for delays.

One person was killed and two others seriously injured after a speeding car rammed into a roadside water vendor’s shed at Durganagar in Hyderabad early Wednesday. The incident occurred under Mailardevpally police station limits, police said.

Another Telangana girl, Sudhiksha Krishna, bagged a bronze in the girls under-19 50m freestyle event with a timing of 28.24

Satavahana University marked the 250th birth anniversary of English writer Jane Austen at its Arts College. Speakers highlighted her focus on middle-class life, women’s independence and social issues, urging students to draw inspiration from her works and life

The Telangana High Court expressed shock over electricity authorities’ failure to disconnect power supply to GITAM University despite Rs 118.13 crore in arrears, while poor consumers face disconnections for minor dues. The Court directed a senior official to appear and explain

The Telangana HC heard writ petitions challenging the ongoing delimitation exercise, with petitioners alleging arbitrary ward mergers, violation of decentralisation principles, and lack of transparency. Senior counsel argued the process undermines local self-governance and meaningful public objections

The custodial death of Karle Rajesh, a Dalit youth from Telangana, has triggered political controversy. His family and MRPS leaders allege that police illegally detained and tortured him for five days to implicate former BRS MLA Bollam Mallaiah Yadav in a Chief Minister’s Relief Fund irregularities case.

Backward Class organisations have warned of intensifying their agitation on the lines of the farmers’ protest, demanding that the Congress introduce a Private Bill in Parliament for 42 per cent reservations. A BC Yatra and mass public meeting have been announced

A lorry driver hailing from Uttar Pradesh was murdered by a group of three truckers, also from UP on National Highway 44 in Nizamabad district

2012-batch IAS officer Krishna Bhaskar has taken charge as Chairman and Managing Director of Singareni Collieries Company Limited in Hyderabad. He succeeds N. Balram, who returned to his parent department after holding additional charge as CMD since January 2024

In view of severe cold weather conditions, the Collector of Kumram Bheem Asifabad district has revised the timings of primary and upper primary schools. The order, issued on Monday, aims to safeguard students’ well-being.

Ahead of the third phase of gram panchayat elections in Telangana, villagers in Nagarkurnool and Mancherial districts reportedly intercepted Congress leaders attempting to distribute cash and saris. Polling will be held from 7 am to 1 pm, followed by counting at 2 pm.

A Hyderabad moneylender, Mohammad Tashawar, was arrested in Adilabad for allegedly transferring borrower Yasmin Firdouse’s house to his name. She had borrowed Rs 15 lakh at 6% interest. Police warned the public against exploitative moneylenders

A defeated gram panchayat ward member candidate allegedly attacked two women voters in Molangur village of Karimnagar district, blaming them for her loss in the elections. One of the victims was injured and admitted to hospital, and a police complaint was lodged

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has appealed to the Union Finance Minister to exempt SPC loans for 105 Young India Integrated Residential Schools from FRBM limits. He also requested an IIM for Hyderabad and new Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya schools across Telangana

Hyderabad Traffic Police have announced traffic restrictions across several areas from December 17 to 22 due to President Droupadi Murmu’s visit. Commuters may face congestion and diversions, especially near major junctions. A helpline is available for updates.

Chandrayangutta police arrested a 31-year-old painter for allegedly killing his 11-year-old stepson by slamming the child’s head against a road during an argument. The boy died after five days of treatment. CCTV footage confirmed the assault.

Renowned handloom artist Nalla Vijay from Sircilla offered a specially woven saree embedded with two grams of gold to Lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at the Yadagirigutta temple.He personally handed over the offering to the temple’s chief priest and the Assistant Executive Officer during a simple ceremony.

The final phase of Gram Panchayat elections in the erstwhile Karimnagar district will be held on Wednesday, with polling scheduled from 7 am to 1 pm. Authorities have deployed additional police forces, imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, and arranged webcasting and CCTV monitoring at sensitive stations.

Former Minister T Harish Rao accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of encouraging violence during the Gram Panchayat elections, citing incidents in Kamareddy and Nalgonda districts where BRS workers were attacked. He alleged that the Congress leadership was responsible for the breakdown of law and order and demanded immediate arrests of those involved.

In a unique outcome in Kothagudem’s gram panchayat polls, Tejavath Saritha was elected sarpanch of Venkateshwara Colony GP, while her husband Tejavath Ratan Naik secured the deputy sarpanch post. The victory was credited to collective BRS cadre efforts

Former MLA Mynampally Hanumanth Rao, who joined the Congress from the BRS, alleged that covert BRS elements within the Congress were responsible for the party’s defeat in sarpanch elections across Telangana. Speaking to the media, he claimed that election strategies were leaked to rivals and accused the BRS of using financial resources to influence voters.

Tolichowki police solved the murder of 23-year-old auto driver Mohd Irfan within 24 hours, arresting main suspect Shaik Bilal and two women. The attack stemmed from a dispute over alleged rumours. A fourth accused is still absconding.