Hyderabad, February 1, 2026 – Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has ordered a high-level crackdown on drug smugglers following the tragic demise of Excise Constable Gajula Sowmya. The 25-year-old officer passed away late Saturday night at NIMS Hospital, Hyderabad, after battling for her life for over a week.
The Incident: A Heroic Sacrifice in Nizamabad
The tragedy unfolded on January 23, 2026, during a midnight anti-narcotics operation in Nizamabad district. Acting on a tip-off regarding illegal ganja transportation, an excise team led by an SI and Constable Sowmya intercepted a suspicious vehicle.
In a desperate bid to evade arrest, the smugglers allegedly rammed their car into the officers. Sowmya bore the brunt of the impact, sustaining life-threatening internal injuries. She was initially treated in Nizamabad—where doctors had to remove one of her kidneys—before being shifted to NIMS (Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences) on January 25 for advanced life support.
CM Revanth Reddy Demands Justice
Expressing deep grief over the loss of the young officer, CM Revanth Reddy stated that the state has lost a dedicated public servant.
“The death of Constable Sowmya in the line of duty is heartbreaking. I have directed the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Excise Department to ensure that those responsible for this heinous act face the most stringent punishment under the law. We will not tolerate such cowardly attacks on our uniformed personnel.”
The CM has also assured full state support to the bereaved family. Sowmya, a 2024 batch constable from the Mosra mandal in Nizamabad, was the daughter of hardworking parents who sell spices in local markets.
Investigation Update: Two Arrested
Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, who had been monitoring her health closely, confirmed that the police have already tracked down the smugglers’ vehicle. Two suspects, residents of Nirmal district, have been arrested and 2 kg of ganja has been seized.
The government is currently mulling over a proposal to arm excise personnel to prevent such violent encounters in the future as the state intensifies its war against drugs.
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