CBI books customs officials in foreign currency smuggling case at RGIA

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has decided to assign critical responsibilities to the Disaster Management Department within Greater Hyderabad. He has directed officials to implement structural changes and redistribute responsibilities accordingly. In a review meeting at the Secretariat on Monday evening, the Chief Minister discussed the reorganization with officials from Municipal Administration, HMDA, and Musi Development.

Expansion of disaster management responsibilities

Recognizing the geographic expansion of Hyderabad, the Chief Minister ordered the Disaster Management Department to extend its jurisdiction to the Outer Ring Road. He suggested including GHMC, 27 surrounding municipalities and corporations, and 33 gram panchayats within its service area. The department will be renamed the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Protection (HYDRA). The Chief Minister proposed appointing a DIG-level officer as the director and SP-level officers as additional directors. He also recommended special teams from GHMC, HMDA, the Water Board, city traffic, and other departments to join this new division.

The Chief Minister emphasized the need for the Disaster Management Department to offer continuous services to city residents, not just during floods or emergencies. HYDRA should actively address all issues faced by Hyderabad’s citizens, including preserving the city’s tanks and ponds, protecting government properties from encroachments, and managing hoardings and flex banners. Additionally, HYDRA will oversee water pipelines, electricity supply lines, drainage, flood management, and traffic control.

Focus on heritage and infrastructure projects

Chief Minister Reddy directed the acceleration of the Musi River Development Project, aiming to elevate Hyderabad’s international reputation. He stressed the importance of working towards the government’s goal of transforming this project into a landmark. He also ordered officials to take necessary actions to restore historical buildings and structures within the city. The GHMC presented a PowerPoint on various heritage sites, such as the City Library, Charminar Ayurvedic Hospital, and Nizamia Observatory etc. The Chief Minister encouraged exploring ways to develop these sites for tourism and integrating feasible ones into the Musi River Development Project.

The Chief Minister instructed Chief Secretary Shantikumar to draft a comprehensive reorganization plan, including staffing, duties, and budget allocations for HYDRA. He also emphasized identifying key areas where the Disaster Management Department can enhance its operations.

The meeting included Chief Secretary Shantikumar, Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Danakishore, GHMC Commissioner Amrapali, GHMC Vigilance Disaster Management Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, and Hyderabad Water Board MD Ashok Reddy.

HYDERABAD: Acting on credible information, Gopalapuram Police have apprehended two snatchers and two receivers involved in multiple cell phone snatching and vehicle theft cases. The operation resulted in the recovery of four two-wheeler vehicles and five mobile phones, marking a significant breakthrough in local crime prevention efforts.

Arrest and seizures details

Gopalapuram Police arrested Steve Jason S/o Christopher and another individual, along with two receivers: Vemula Sai Santhosh and Osru Ganesh for their involvement in various theft cases across Hyderabad and Cyberabad. The seized items included a Samsung M31S mobile phone linked to a Gopalapuram case, and several vehicles used in the commission of offenses.

The arrested individuals, identified as Steve Jason and Vemula Sai Santhosh, both aged 19, were implicated in multiple criminal cases including snatching and vehicle theft. They were previously involved in similar offenses and were known to police for their criminal history.

Modus operandi and previous history

Steve Jason and his accomplice, termed as CCL (Co-accused in Crimes) are habitual offenders dropped out of Intermediate studies. These two targeted victims primarily for mobile phones and used stolen vehicles to facilitate their operations. Their criminal activities spanned several jurisdictions, involving thefts reported from Gopalapuram, Domalguda, Siddipet II Town, and Kushaiguda.

Under the supervision of Addl. DCP Sri P Ashok and ACP Gopalapuram Sri P Subbaiah, the arrests were executed by Detective Inspector Sri B V Kausheek and his team. The operation culminated in the recovery of stolen vehicles and mobile phones, crucial evidence in ongoing investigations.

The successful apprehension of these suspects underscores Gopalapuram Police’s commitment to combatting crime and ensuring public safety. The recovered items will be crucial in furthering investigations and potentially closing several pending cases related to theft and snatching incidents in the region.

This proactive action by law enforcement serves as a deterrent to criminal activities and reinforces community confidence in police efforts to maintain law and order.

Charminar: Rash driving offence will now be etched in the history of Hyderabad and Telangana police department as it is now the First offence under which First Information report(FIR) was issued under the newly implemented act- Bharatiya Naya Sanhitha(BNS), marking the beginning of a new era in the enforcement.

Two miscreants Sohail Ansari and Sk Sanwar nabbed by Charminar police while conducting vehicle checking at Gulzar House cross road. The miscreants reportedly riding their Vehicles without number plate and without documents and violated the traffic rules and regulations.

When questioned by the police the miscreants failed to give proper reason behind their presence at the spot during late night hours. The police said “ When asked them for the reason behind riding their vehicles without number plates, they gave hectic answers. On further enquiry they disclosed their identity as Sohail Ansari(19) and Sk Sanwar(26)”. Subsequently police seized the vehicle and shifted them to police station along with riders for necessary legal action.

The police have booked them under section 281 BNS, Section 281 BNS deals with the Rash driving or riding on a public way- It is defined as “whoever drives any vehicle, or rides, on any public way in a manner so rash or negligent as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.” Earlier it is defined in section 279 of the Indian Penal Code. There is nothing much changed in the definition apart from the name from 279 IPC to 281 BNS.

In addition to the 281 BNS police also booked a case under 177 (General provision for punishment of offences) MV Act and further investigation is underway.

Taking to X(formerly Twitter) Director general of police(DGP) Ravi Gupta posted, “Telangana Police has registered the First FIR with Digital Signature under the Bharathiya Nyaya Sanhitha. I am happy to inform you that the First FIR from Telangana under B N S has been issued today from Charminar Police Station of Hyderabad Police Commissionerate”.

“The state police has seamlessly marched with flying colours into the evolving paradigm of the new criminal major laws of Bharatiya Naya Sanhitha(BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita(BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam(BSA), which has come into force on Monday by replacing Indian Penal code(IPC), criminal Procedure Code(CrPC) and Indian Evidence Act(IEA)” said DGP in an official note. Further DGP Ravi Gupta Congratulated all the team members who were instrumental in securing this unique honour for Telangana.