Telangana HC stays Ibrahimpatnam Municipality chairman poll over BRS councilor Akula Yadagiri's `abduction'

Hyderabad: Telangana High Court on Tuesday stayed the election to the post of Chairperson of Ibrahimpatnam Municipality till February 19, 2026.

This follows the allegations that a BRS councillor was kidnapped to prevent him from voting in the scheduled municipal council election.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya and Justice Gadi Praveen Kumar also directed the police to produce the allegedly missing councillor, Akula Yadagiri, before the Court by February 18, 2026.

Habeas Corpus petition filed by son

The matter came up before the Bench through a Habeas Corpus writ petition filed as a lunch motion by Akula Harikanth, son of the missing councillor.

Yadagiri, a Bharata Rashtra Samithi (BRS) councillor representing Ward No. 19 of Ibrahimpatnam Municipality in Rangareddy district, was allegedly abducted ahead of the election to the posts of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, scheduled for February 16 at 12.30 p.m.

Allegations of Abduction to influence poll

The petitioner alleged that his father was abducted at the behest of the Revenue Divisional Officer-cum-Returning Officer of Ibrahimpatnam Mandal and one Manchireddy Kishan Reddy, with the deliberate intention of preventing him from exercising his vote in the municipal election.

According to the petition, the alleged abduction was aimed at influencing the outcome of the council’s leadership election.

FIR registered

The petitioner informed the Court that a formal complaint was lodged at the Ibrahimpatnam Police Station on February 15, 2026. Based on the complaint, FIR No. 119 of 2026 was registered.

Court takes serious view

Taking note of the seriousness of the allegations, the Division Bench stayed the election process and directed the police to ensure the production of Akula Yadagiri before the Court on the next date of hearing.

The writ petition has been adjourned to February 19, 2026.