Hyderabad, December 9: Inspector Mohd Habibullah Khan, the award-winning Station House Officer (SHO) of Gachibowli Police Station, has been transferred and attached to Vacancy Reserve (VR) at the Cyberabad Police Headquarters. The move comes days after he registered an FIR against Harsha Reddy, the son of Telangana Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, in a high-profile land grabbing and trespass case.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The transfer has ignited controversy, with critics and opposition figures alleging it is a retaliatory measure for the officer’s attempt to uphold the law against an influential political family.
The Land Grabbing Case That Triggered the Move
The controversy stems from a complaint filed regarding a disputed parcel of land near the Outer Ring Road (ORR) in Gachibowli.
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The Allegation: The FIR, filed under the supervision of Inspector Habibullah Khan, named Harsha Reddy and his company, Raghava Constructions, as accused parties. The complaint alleged that the minister’s son and his associates used four JCBs and an estimated 70 bouncers to trespass and forcibly take possession of the disputed land.
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The FIR Details: The case was registered under relevant sections related to criminal trespass, assault, and other charges. Sources indicated that the Inspector handled the investigation promptly and without succumbing to political pressure, a factor widely believed to be the reason behind his immediate transfer.
The Transfer Order: ‘Routine Reorganisation’ or Punishment?
Cyberabad Police Commissioner Avinash Mohanty issued the transfer orders on Monday, moving Inspector Habibullah Khan from the key Gachibowli post to “VR, Cyberabad” (Vacancy Reserve).
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Official Stance: Police officials have maintained that the transfer is part of a “routine administrative reorganisation” involving several inspectors across the commissionerate and is not a disciplinary move.
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Contrasting View: Political analysts and observers, however, view the transfer to the “Vacancy Reserve” post—a designation often referred to as “waiting for posting” or “punishment posting”—as a clear signal of displeasure from the government. Such a move effectively sidelines an officer from active duty and leadership roles, removing him from a high-profile station like Gachibowli immediately after an FIR against a Cabinet Minister’s relative.
Backlash and Political Reaction
The opposition parties and civil society groups have quickly seized on the transfer, framing it as proof of the ruling party’s attempt to intimidate officials and subvert the judicial process.
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Opposition Criticism: A spokesperson for a major opposition party stated, “Inspector Habibullah Khan is an award-winning officer known for his integrity. His removal and attachment to VR, immediately after filing an FIR against the Revenue Minister’s son, speaks volumes. This is a clear case of political interference and demoralization of honest police officials.“
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Minister’s Denial: Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy had previously dismissed the allegations against his son as “false and politically motivated.” He has yet to comment on the specific transfer of the Inspector.
The incident underscores the growing scrutiny of the police and administration’s autonomy in dealing with cases involving powerful political figures in the state.
