Fact Check: Hyderabad DCP Chaitanya Kumar’s image falsely linked to slain Nizamabad constable Pramod Kumar
A photograph of a uniformed police officer is being circulated on social media in connection with the murder of Constable E Pramod Kumar in Nizamabad, Telangana.
By - M Ramesh Naik
Claim:The image shows Constable E Pramod Kumar, who was allegedly stabbed to death by Shaik Riyaz in Nizamabad in October 2025, and is being used to criticise police preparedness and the State government.
Fact:The claim is false. The photo shows S Chaitanya Kumar, IPS, who is currently the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), South East Zone, Hyderabad. It is unrelated to the Nizamabad constable murder case.
Hyderabad: In late 2025, the murder of a police constable in Nizamabad and the subsequent death of the accused in an alleged police encounter sparked widespread discussion on social media, including criticism of law and order under the Telangana State government.
In this context, an X post recirculated details of the incident involving the stabbing of Constable E Pramod Kumar by Shaik Riyaz, accompanied by a photo of a uniformed police officer. The post and related shares implied or presented the image as that of the deceased constable.
Taking a jibe at the Congress government in the State, an X user shared the photo with the caption, “Shaik Riyaz stabbed & killed Police Constable Pramod @hydcitypolice can’t protect its own. Keep voting Pappu Rahul Party” (Archive)
Fact Check
NewsMeter found that the claim is false. The image is not of the deceased Constable E Pramod Kumar but of DCP S Chaitanya Kumar, IPS, currently posted as Deputy Commissioner of Police, South East Zone, Hyderabad.
Who is the police officer in the viral post?
A reverse image search of the photo used in the post led us to images and references associated with S Chaitanya Kumar, IPS.
The officer’s profile on the Hyderabad City Police website confirms S Chaitanya Kumar as the DCP South East Zone, with contact details listed. Recent news reports from October 2025 also mention DCP S Chaitanya Kumar being in active duty.
In October last year, NewsMeter carried a report of the DCP firing his service weapon in self-defence during a mobile snatching arrest in Hyderabad. The photo of the DCP in the report is the same as the one shared in the viral post.
Moreover, in the report on Riyaz’s encounter, the photo of Constable Pramod in the report is different from the police officer seen in the viral post.
An analysis of the uniform in the viral image also provided the same information. The uniform in the photo, including IPS insignia, aligns with a senior officer’s rank, not that of a constable.
What happened in the Nizamabad case?
On October 17, 2025, Constable E Pramod Kumar (42), attached to Nizamabad Central Crime Station, was stabbed to death while escorting accused Shaik Riyaz (28) on a two-wheeler to the police station after his arrest in a vehicle theft case. Riyaz allegedly attacked the constable multiple times with a knife and injured Pramod’s nephew, who was accompanying them. Riyaz fled with the help of aides.
Constable E Pramod
Riyaz, described by police as a habitual offender with 61 cases including thefts, robberies and attempted murders, was captured on October 19 near Sarangapur after a civilian (Asif) intervened, leading to injuries to Asif as well.
On October 20, while in custody and under treatment at Nizamabad Government Hospital, police stated that Riyaz attempted to snatch a constable’s firearm and open fire, leading to his death in retaliatory firing.
The family of Shaik Riyaz has alleged that the encounter was staged and a custodial killing, demanding an independent probe, including a CBI investigation.
Separate shooting incident involving DCP Chaitanya Kumar
On October 25, 2025, DCP S Chaitanya Kumar was involved in a separate shooting incident in Chaderghat, Hyderabad (South East Zone), where he opened fire in self-defence during a mobile phone snatching chase.
According to police, the suspect attacked the DCP’s gunman with a knife during the pursuit, prompting warning shots followed by targeted firing at the lower body. The accused was injured and arrested, while two associates escaped. Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar described the firing as lawful self-defence.
The Nizamabad constable murder case and the Hyderabad snatching incident are entirely separate incidents involving different individuals and circumstances.
The comparison of the photos of DCP Chaitanya and Constable Pramod shows that the image of the DCP is being falsely shared as Constable Pramod, who passed away in the attack by Riyaz.
The photograph circulating on social media does not show Constable E Pramod Kumar. It is an image of DCP S Chaitanya Kumar, IPS, which has been wrongly attributed to the deceased constable.
The claim is false.
