New Police Commissioner of Hyderabad Prioritizes Womens Safety and Cyber Crime Prevention

Hyderabad, November 13 (Daily Kiran) : Mahesh Murli Dhar Bhagwat officially took over as the new police commissioner of Hyderabad on Friday. In his inaugural press conference, he emphasized that maintaining law and order, ensuring women’s safety, and curbing cyber crime are his top priorities.

After succeeding V.C. Sajjanar, Bhagwat stated that a strong law enforcement presence directly attracts more investment to the city. He highlighted that the primary goal of both the government and the police department is to make every citizen feel safe and free.

Bhagwat noted that Hyderabad has a team of experienced officers committed to working cohesively to uphold the city’s reputation for safety. He announced a focused approach to monitor individuals released from jail, particularly those linked to organized crime and gang-related violence. This initiative, named “Jail Release Watch,” will integrate release data with the T-Spark and CCNS systems.

To gather intelligence on potential retaliatory attacks, local police, the special branch, and community networks will collaborate closely. Legal actions, including bail requirements and the initiation of “Rowdy Sheets,” will be taken against those identified as threats.

The commissioner assured prompt arrests in serious cases, such as homicides, and emphasized measures to prevent first-time offenders from reoffending. New provisions of the Indian Penal Code (BNS) will be utilized to address organized crime effectively.

Bhagwat also mentioned that strict actions will be enforced under the Preventive Detention (PD) Act against habitual offenders and those involved in large-scale drug trafficking, potentially leading to detention for eight months to a year.

The quality of investigations will improve through the “Eagle” wing, with drug-related cases being expedited to fast-track courts. Special monitoring will ensure that pending cases result in appropriate penalties for offenders.

The new commissioner plans to engage with DCP and ACP level officers, visit every police station to understand local issues, and focus on fundamental policing practices.

Recognizing the increased likelihood of crime during evening hours, he mandated active street patrols by police officers. Night patrols will be rigorously enforced, with operational reviews conducted each morning.

Bhagwat warned that any police officer found engaging in illegal extortion will face departmental action as well as criminal charges. He addressed the rise in land-related violent disputes, assuring that civil complaints will be handled transparently, leveraging his experience and legal advisors.

Moreover, he pledged stringent action against gangs involved in forging land documents, contract killings, interstate crimes, ATM thefts, and offenses by domestic helpers.

This marks Bhagwat’s third tenure in Hyderabad, having previously served as DCP in the South Zone under commissioners R.P. Singh and Dinesh Reddy before taking on various roles, including joint police commissioner and police commissioner of Rachakonda. He has also worked in the CID and various security departments, holding significant responsibilities for over two years as Additional DG for law and order.