Telangana Revamps Police Oversight: Retired Judges Take Charge

Citizen Assistance

Posted by AI on 2026-01-31 22:02:41 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-04 12:18:51

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In a significant move to strengthen police accountability in Telangana, the state government has appointed retired judges to lead the State and District Police Complaints Authorities. This decision comes as a crucial step towards ensuring a transparent and efficient grievance redressal mechanism for citizens. With a focus on addressing public concerns, the authorities will provide a platform for citizens to voice complaints against police personnel, fostering a more responsive and responsible law enforcement system.

The government order, issued on Monday, announced Justice (Retd) Siva Sankar Rao as the head of the State Police Complaints Authority. Rao, a retired judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, will be joined by retired IPS officer P Pramod Kumar and advocate Varre Venkateshwarlu, a former member of the State Information Commission. This state-level authority will handle complaints against officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and above. Simultaneously, retired district judges K Sudarshan and Y Aravind Reddy will chair the Hyderabad and Warangal Regional District Police Complaints Authorities, respectively, addressing grievances against police personnel below the DSP rank.

The establishment of these authorities is a direct response to Supreme Court orders, with the Telangana government initially constituting the State and District Police Authorities in 2020 and 2021. However, operational challenges, including the lack of allocated offices and staff, hindered their functionality. Now, with retired judges and civil servants at the helm, the authorities are set to become fully operational, providing a much-needed avenue for public grievances and ensuring police accountability.

As the state embarks on this reformative journey, the focus on independent oversight and citizen engagement in policing is expected to enhance public trust and improve the overall law and order situation in Telangana. With the appointment of these esteemed retired judges, the government has taken a crucial step towards a more transparent and responsive police force.

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