Sajjanar faces serious allegations after transfer; Swecha News challenges former Police boss to respond

In a strongly worded statement, Swecha News chairman Devender Reddy Chintakuntla publicly challenged Sajjanar to respond to the allegations, claiming that his organisation possessed evidence relating to irregularities within the police administration. He also challenged the former Commissioner to issue legal notices if he disputed the accusations, asserting that the news platform was prepared to substantiate its claims.

The allegations surfaced following the Telangana government's decision to transfer Sajjanar and appoint senior IPS officer Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagwat as the new Hyderabad Police Commissioner. Sajjanar has been posted as Director General of Telangana Fire, Disaster Response, Emergency and Civil Defence.

Questioning the circumstances surrounding the transfer, Swecha News suggested that alleged administrative irregularities might have contributed to the government's decision. However, no official evidence has emerged establishing a connection between Sajjanar's transfer and the accusations made by the digital news platform.

One of the principal allegations concerns police transfers and postings. Chintakuntla claimed that certain officers had secured influential positions through financial transactions allegedly involving individuals close to Sajjanar. The statement specifically referred to postings in Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills and Adibatla, questioning whether merit and established administrative procedures had been followed.

Swecha News further alleged that an individual associated with the former Commissioner's office had collected substantial amounts of money in connection with police postings. In one instance, the outlet claimed that ₹25 lakh had changed hands in connection with a posting at Jubilee Hills Police Station. The allegation has not been independently verified, and no documentary evidence supporting the specific transaction was included in the statement.

The news platform also questioned Sajjanar's handling of complaints against certain police officers, particularly cases involving alleged harassment of women. It accused the former Commissioner of protecting some officers despite complaints against them and demanded an explanation for what it described as selective administrative action.

Chintakuntla contrasted Sajjanar's public reputation with the allegations raised by his organisation. He argued that senior police officials who project an image of integrity and accountability must also be prepared to answer questions about their administrative decisions and the conduct of officers working under their supervision.

The statement made pointed references to Sajjanar's prominence following the December 2019 encounter in Cyberabad, in which four accused in the rape and murder of a veterinarian were killed by police. The incident attracted nationwide attention and subsequently came under judicial scrutiny, with a Supreme Court-appointed commission questioning the police account of the encounter.

Referring to the episode, the Swecha News chairman used provocative language to challenge Sajjanar to face the allegations publicly. He asserted that his two decades of experience in crime and investigative journalism had equipped him to pursue the matter through documentary evidence and further reporting.

The outlet also questioned whether Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had been aware of the alleged developments within the Hyderabad Police administration. It suggested that the government should examine the circumstances surrounding certain postings and decisions taken during Sajjanar's tenure.

Beyond the allegations concerning transfers, Swecha News announced its intention to publish additional reports examining the handling of criminal investigations, the preparation of chargesheets and developments in cases involving alleged phone tapping.

The platform indicated that its forthcoming coverage would examine whether investigative procedures had been followed properly and whether complaints received by the police had resulted in appropriate action.

Sajjanar, a senior IPS officer with considerable public visibility, has served in several important assignments in Telangana. His tenure as Cyberabad Police Commissioner brought him national recognition, while his subsequent administrative roles and public awareness campaigns on cybercrime, road safety and other civic issues helped establish a substantial social media following.

His appointment as Hyderabad Police Commissioner placed him in charge of one of the state's most important policing jurisdictions, making his subsequent transfer a subject of considerable public and political interest.

However, the allegations made by Swecha News remain unproven. The claims concerning financial transactions, manipulation of postings, protection of accused officers and the reasons behind Sajjanar's transfer have not been independently substantiated. The outlet's assertion that it possesses evidence does not, by itself, establish the accuracy of the accusations.

No response from Sajjanar to the specific allegations was available in the material circulated by Swecha News. His position on the claims therefore remains unknown.

The controversy raises broader questions about accountability and transparency in police administration, particularly in matters involving transfers, postings and the handling of complaints against serving officers.

At the same time, allegations against senior public officials require careful examination through documentary evidence and established legal procedures, rather than conclusions drawn solely from social media statements or the timing of administrative transfers.

Whether Swecha News formally submits its alleged evidence to the government or investigative authorities, and whether Sajjanar chooses to respond publicly or pursue legal remedies, will determine how the controversy develops.

For now, the allegations have intensified scrutiny of the outgoing Hyderabad Police Commissioner, even as the city police administration prepares for a new phase under Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagwat.