Hyderabad: Conman posing as police officer arrested in job scam
HYDERABAD: .On Saturday, the Commissioner’s Task Force, East Zone Team, and Masab Tank police jointly apprehended a suspect impersonating a police officer and engaging in fraudulent activities under the pretext of offering police department jobs. The individual, identified as Kadavath Somla Naik, a 44-year-old car driver residing in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, was taken into custody.
According to the report, the accused studied up to Intermediate from Govt. Junior College, Ghanpur, Hyderabad. His journey from former student to an impersonator of authority has been marked by a series of failed attempts. His military aspirations led him to join the Army as a Soldier GD, but he absconded from training at the Artillery Centre after six months. In 2004, during his attempt to join the Assam Rifles, he suffered with hydrocele disease, forcing him to abandon training. Later, after unsuccessful attempts to join the police force in undivided Andhra Pradesh, he worked as a car driver in Hyderabad. However, due to his passion for uniformed services, he began impersonating a police officer in 2012.
Exploiting this facade, Naik attended various events posing as a Sub Inspector and Constable, deceiving his village and local community. His fraudulent activities extended to promising job seekers direct police positions for a fee. One victim, Gowri Shanker of Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, was defrauded of Rs. 2,00,000. Naik’s total gains from multiple victims amounted to Rs. 11,00,000.
Naik, along with the seized sub inspector police uniform, mobile phone, and two-wheeler from his possession, was handed over to the SHO of Masab Tank Police Station for further action. The arrest was conducted under the supervision of Sri. Ande Srinivasa Rao, Addl. Dy. Commissioner of Police, Commissioners Task Force, Hyderabad, with the assistance of Inspector A. Nagarjuna, and SIs S/Sri S. Karunakar Reddy, P. Ananth Chary, and P. Nagaraju from the East Zone Task Force Team. The case was overseen by Ms. S. Rashmi Perumal IPS, Dy. Commissioner of Police, Commissioners Task Force, Hyderabad.
CM Revanth Reddy reorganizes disaster management for Greater Hyderabad
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.
