Telangana reshuffles 21 IPS officers: Mahesh Bhagwat replaces Sajjanar as Hyderabad Police Commissioner

Hyderabad: A sweeping administrative shake-up in Telangana's police establishment has brought a change at the helm of Hyderabad City Police, with senior IPS officer Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagwat appointed as the new Police Commissioner, replacing V C Sajjanar.

The state government has ordered the transfer and posting of 21 IPS officers, marking a significant restructuring of the police administration and several key government organisations.

The orders, issued on Thursday, November 12, redistribute responsibilities across crucial wings, including law and order, women’s safety, anti-corruption, prisons, traffic management and transport.

Bhagwat, a 1995-batch IPS officer, takes charge of Hyderabad City Police following his stint in the state's Law and Order wing.

His appointment places an experienced police officer at the helm of one of the country's most significant urban police jurisdictions.

Sajjanar, who held the Hyderabad Police Commissioner's post, has been transferred and appointed Director General of Telangana Fire, Disaster Response, Emergency and Civil Defence.

The reshuffle also brings changes to the leadership of several specialised police wings.

Senior IPS officer Dr Soumya Mishra has been appointed Director General of Women and Safety, SHE Teams and Bharosa, putting her in charge of key initiatives dealing with women's security and protection.

Swati Lakra has been posted as Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, while Charu Sinha has been appointed Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), retaining additional charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

In another significant administrative change, Dr Anil Kumar has been appointed Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC). Y Nagi Reddy has been posted as Commissioner of Civil Supplies.

The reshuffle also affects the state's operational and traffic policing structures. Vikram Singh Mann has been appointed DGP, Operations, Greyhounds and OCTOPUS, while M Stephen Raveendra has been posted as Director of Telangana Traffic Management, Road and Rail Safety Bureau.

Akun Sabharwal has been assigned the responsibility of Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order. Meanwhile, S Chandrasekhar Reddy has been appointed Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

At the zonal and railway policing levels, Kartikeya has been posted as Inspector General of Police, Multi-Zone-I, while K Ramesh Naidu has been appointed IG, Railways. D Joel Davis has been assigned as Joint Director, Road Safety and Traffic, TG-TMARS.

The latest round of transfers underscores a broad redistribution of responsibilities within Telangana's administrative and policing machinery, with several senior officers moving into positions overseeing public safety, internal security, accountability and essential government services.