Former CBI Director Nageshwar Rao calls Sajjanar ‘Criminal in Uniform’; demands probe against former Police Commissioner

In a strongly worded post on social media platform X, Nageshwar Rao thanked Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Director General of Police C.V. Anand for transferring Sajjanar from the high-profile position of Hyderabad Police Commissioner.

“Thank you, Hon’ble Telangana CM Sri Revanth Reddy garu and Telangana DGP Sri C.V. Anand garu, for transferring V.C. Sajjanar, a criminal in uniform, out of the post of Hyderabad Police Commissioner,” Rao wrote.

The former CBI chief acknowledged that publicly criticising a fellow police officer was an uncomfortable decision but maintained that considerations of public interest outweighed professional solidarity.

“It gives me immense pain to castigate a former service colleague as a criminal in uniform, yet it is the truth. Public interest far outweighs service camaraderie, and I must call a spade a spade,” he stated.

Nageshwar Rao further argued that merely transferring an officer did not amount to disciplinary action or absolve the individual of any alleged wrongdoing. He urged the Telangana government to initiate a thorough investigation into Sajjanar's conduct and take appropriate legal action if evidence of criminal activity emerged.

“A transfer is neither a punishment nor does it erase criminality. Therefore, I appeal to the Government of Telangana to order a thorough probe into all his criminal activities,” he wrote, adding that bringing those responsible to account was essential to cleaning up the police establishment.

The remarks come against the backdrop of a major reshuffle of senior IPS officers in Telangana, under which Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagwat was appointed Hyderabad Police Commissioner, replacing Sajjanar.

Nageshwar Rao's intervention is particularly significant because of his background as a senior IPS officer who served at the highest levels of the country's premier investigating agency. His public criticism of a fellow senior police officer has added a new dimension to the debate surrounding the leadership changes in the Hyderabad police establishment.

However, the former CBI Director did not specify particular criminal cases, documentary evidence or judicial findings supporting the allegations made in his post. His description of Sajjanar as a criminal is an accusation, not an established legal finding.

The transfer order itself does not establish misconduct, and there is no basis to conclude from the administrative reshuffle alone that Sajjanar was removed because of criminal allegations.

Sajjanar has held several important policing assignments in Telangana, including Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad, and has remained a prominent figure in public discussions about law enforcement. His tenure has also attracted controversy, particularly over the 2019 police encounter in which four men accused in the rape and murder of a veterinarian were killed.

Nageshwar Rao's latest remarks have intensified scrutiny of Sajjanar following his transfer. Whether the Telangana government will respond to the demand for an investigation remains to be seen.

The allegations against Sajjanar remain unproven, and his response to Nageshwar Rao's statements was not immediately available.