Former Home Minister Sabita Reddy Criticises Telangana's Law and Order Performance

Hyderabad: Former home minister Sabita Indra Reddy has levelled sharp criticism at the state's law and order situation under the current Congress administration, asserting that the police force is not adequately maintaining public peace across Telangana.

Speaking to reporters at Telangana Bhavan on Saturday, Reddy highlighted the contrast between the state's policing standards now and in the past. She noted that Telangana's police department was once counted among the nation's most effective forces, but has since slipped in its capacity to uphold law and order.

Reddy argued that the past two-and-a-half years demonstrate the consequences of deprioritising law and order, resulting in the state falling behind comparable regions. She accused the administration of concentrating its efforts on political harassment and targeting opposition figures rather than tackling substantive public concerns.

"The struggle for Telangana statehood was never about merely creating a new administrative boundary. Our vision was to establish a secure, stable state capable of attracting business investment and generating employment opportunities for our young people," Reddy stated.

Pointing to a structural gap in governance, Reddy criticised the lack of a dedicated full-time home minister. While Chief Minister Revanth Reddy holds the Home portfolio, she contended that he has not devoted adequate attention to the ministry's responsibilities.

Drawing on her own experience in the role, Reddy recalled that citizens previously had direct access to the home minister when law and order crises emerged. She alleged that the present dispensation has failed to respond with similar effectiveness.

"When we raise these concerns, the response is invariably that the Chief Minister is overseeing matters at the Command and Control Centre. Yet every issue except those concerning the Home Department seems to receive attention there," she remarked.

Reddy expressed regret that the Chief Minister has not approached the Home Department's oversight with the necessary seriousness.

On a separate matter, Reddy invoked a case involving the son of Union Minister Bandi Sanjay to stress the importance of uniform legal application. She insisted that if the complainant was a minor, authorities must file charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

"The law cannot function on a two-tier system based on the social standing of the accused. Whether the person in question is a Union Minister's son or an ordinary citizen, justice demands identical treatment," Reddy said.

Reddy further called for the formal registration of the complaint lodged by the affected party and urged immediate legal proceedings in the matter.