25 Telangana Cops linked to gangster Nayeem's case go scot free

Hyderabad : An RTI response has revealed that 25 cops serving in the Telangana Police who were found to be ‘associated’ with deceased gangster Mohammed Nayeemuddin, go scot-free as no criminal cases have been registered against them.

On the 8th of August 2016, Mohammed Nayeemuddin alias Nayeem was killed in an encounter in Shadnagar town of Telangana. Nayeem, designated as a gangster was alleged of grabbing land running into crore, abduction and served as a man Friday for the top brass.

Nayeem’s death opened up a can of worms including his association with police officials and local politicians. The Telangana police constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to unearth the nexus.

During the course, the SIT led by senior IPS officer Y. Nagi Reddy, informed through an RTI that departmental action has been initiated against 25 cops holding different ranks for their ‘association’ with deceased gangster Mohammed Nayeemuddin.

They include two additional superintendents of police, M. Srinivasa Rao and M. Chandrashekar, seven deputy superintendents of police — Ch Srinivas, M. Srinivasa Rao, T. Sai Manohar, G. Prakash Rao, D. Venkata Narsaiah, J. Amerender Reddy, and Thirupathanna, 14 police inspectors — Masthan, B. Rajgopal, G. Venkataiah, Srinivasa Naidu, B. Kishen, S. Srinivasa Rao, K. Venkat Reddy, Md. Majid, Venkata Surya Prakash, Ravikiran Reddy, Balwanthaiah, Narender Goud, E. Ravinder, and K.R. Dinesh Anand, and two head constables, B. Balaiah and Mohd Sadath Miya.

SIT said , the list was sent to Director-General-of-police’s office for further direction.

However, a year later in another RTI, SIT informed that no case has been booked against the 25 citing, ‘No police officer is accused in any case’. However 8 politicians are involved in 139 cases, while few faced arrest.

Speaking to NewsMeter a senior police officer said, “Majority of cases booked against Nayeem were in connection with land grabbing, where the role of the 25 cops could not be established. Few policemen were found in pictures with Nayeem while others met him over unofficial meetings. Based on evidences department action was initiated. Few were transferred while rest suspended. No cop is cited as accused in any case".

The eight politicians who have been named in the Nayeem case and arrested were S Sudhakar, ZPTC, Bhongiri, P. Srinivas, ex-councillor, Bhongiri, Abdul Nazar, councillor, Bhongiri town (all moved from TD to TRS), S. Nagaraju, MPP Valigonda of the TRS, T. Venkatesh, MPP, Bhongiri (moved from Congress to TRS), G. Pingala Reddy, ex-sarpanch, Bibi nagar, Bolli Eshwariah of the TRS, president of Veldanda mandal, V. Sanjeeva, ex-TRS MPTC from Veldanda, and TD member R Krishnaiah MLA, LB Nagar.

Questioning the delay in investigation is retired IFS officer Mr Padmanabha Reddy-Secretary-Forum for good governance. The activist has written to the Governor, Telangana seeking intervention. "About 240 cases were registered post the encounter. However, charge-sheet has been filed in 173 cases over 4 years. Though 25 police officers were said to be associated with Nayeem, no action has been initiated".

According to the RTI response:

1. No of cases where charge-sheet are filled: 173

2. No of case withdrawn/deleted from the preview of Special Investigating team- 8

3. No of cases where the courts passed final orders: Nil

4. No of cases in which action initiated against police officials and politicians: No cop is cited as accused in any case

5. Eight politicians are involved in 139 cases