Telangana Assembly Elections: 3 cops shield cash distribution, suspended

Hyderabad: The Telangana Police on Wednesday took disciplinary action by suspending three police officers: DCP Central Zone M. Venkateswarlu, ACP Chikkadpally A. Yadagiri, and Musheerabad Inspector E. Jahangir Yadav.

The suspension resulted from their alleged attempts to protect associates of Musheerabad MLA and BRS candidate Muta Gopal. Gopal was caught red-handed with '18 lakh cash intended for voter distribution. The Election Commission of India instructed the police department to take action against the officials.

On Tuesday night, an SI from Musheerabad PS received information about cash being distributed for votes. He rushed to Santosh Elite apartment at Gandhi Nagar, where a Volkswagen car (AP 28 CH 6759) and individuals with cash, mobile phones, and a cheque book were found. The SI alerted the flying squad, and a case was later registered against unknown persons.

Hyderabad police commissioner Sandeep Shandilya, in his report to State Nodal Police Observer Deepak Mishra, highlighted that the inspector failed to register a case with relevant sections and attempted to shield those involved in the cash distribution. Despite Musheerabad MLA and BRS candidate Mutha Gopal’s son Muta Jaisimha residing in the same apartment, the inspector did not ascertain ownership of the car and mobiles.

The report emphasised that this was a deliberate effort to shield the actual culprits. The inspector, ACP, and DCP could have promptly arrested Santosh and his brother Sudhakar, who are friends of Muta Gopal.

"It can be easily inferred that the inspector, ACP, and the DCP have purposefully connived to screen the actual culprits and have not acted fairly," stated Hyderabad CP Sandeep Shandilya.

Based on these findings, the special observers submitted a report to the Election Commission, leading to the directive to suspend the three officials.

The department has also issued orders posting D. Srinivas, DCP Traffic - III, Hyderabad city as DCP Central Zone, K. Madhu Mohan Reddy, ACP CCS, Hyderabad city as ACP Chikkadpally and detective inspector Musheerabad D. Venkat Reddyas Musheerabad inspector.