Hyderabad, November 2026 : Senior IPS officer Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagwat on Friday assumed charge as the new Commissioner of Police of Hyderabad, outlining a comprehensive policing strategy focused on maintaining law and order, ensuring women's safety, curbing cybercrime and cracking down on organised criminal networks.
Taking over from V.C. Sajjanar, Bhagwat said creating a safe environment for citizens was the primary responsibility of the government and the police. Addressing a press conference after assuming office, he emphasised that effective law and order was also essential to attracting investments and strengthening Hyderabad's reputation as a major business destination.
He said Hyderabad had a team of experienced police officers and expressed confidence that they would work together to maintain the city's image as a 'Safe City'. Ensuring that every citizen feels secure and can move freely would remain a key priority, he added.
Jail Release Watch to Track Criminals
Announcing measures to prevent organised crime, group rivalries and retaliatory attacks, Bhagwat said the police would introduce a specialised 'Jail Release Watch' system to monitor individuals after their release from prison.
Under the initiative, jail release information will be integrated with T-SPARK and the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) to enable systematic monitoring of released offenders.
The police will also collect intelligence through local police stations, the Special Branch and community networks to identify individuals likely to engage in retaliatory violence. Based on the information gathered, authorities will initiate fresh bind-over proceedings, seek financial sureties and open rowdy sheets wherever necessary.
He said immediate arrests would be ensured in heinous crimes such as murder. The department would also focus on preventing first-time offenders from returning to criminal activities. New provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) would be effectively used to tackle organised criminal networks.
Strict Action Against Drug Offenders
The new Commissioner said the Preventive Detention (PD) Act would be invoked strictly against habitual offenders and those involved in commercial-quantity drug cases involving 20 kg or more of narcotic substances. Such accused persons could remain in preventive detention for periods ranging from eight months to one year, he said.
Bhagwat also announced plans to strengthen drug-related investigations through the EAGLE wing. In coordination with the concerned magistrates and the Metropolitan Sessions Judge, drug cases would be moved to Fast Track Courts, with dedicated monitoring of trials to ensure effective prosecution and convictions in pending cases.
Focus on Basic Policing and Night Patrolling
Outlining his immediate priorities, Bhagwat said he would first hold consultations with Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), followed by visits to every police station to understand local challenges.
He said the department would place renewed emphasis on basic policing and visible police presence. Since crime incidents tend to increase during evening hours, personnel must move out of police stations and actively patrol roads rather than remain confined to their offices.
Night patrolling would be strictly enforced, with morning reviews to assess performance and obtain feedback on the previous night's operations.
The Commissioner also issued a stern warning against police misconduct, stating that personnel found involved in illegal extortion would face criminal cases in addition to departmental disciplinary action.
Crackdown on Land Fraud and Criminal Gangs
Addressing violent disputes linked to rising land values in Hyderabad, Bhagwat said complaints arising from civil disputes but presented as criminal cases would be examined transparently. His experience and the advice of a dedicated team of legal experts would help ensure that such complaints were handled appropriately.
He also promised strict action against gangs involved in forging land documents and death certificates, hired killers, interstate criminal networks, ATM burglars and offences committed by domestic workers.
Bhagwat's Previous Experience in Hyderabad
Recalling his earlier assignments in the city, Bhagwat said his appointment as Commissioner marked his third stint in Hyderabad.
Before 2004, he served as Deputy Commissioner of Police (South Zone) under Commissioners R.P. Singh and Dinesh Reddy. In late 2010, he returned to the city as Joint Commissioner of Police (Administration), serving for two years, followed by a seven-to-eight-month tenure as Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Branch).
He subsequently served as Commissioner of Police, Rachakonda, and worked in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a year. His other assignments included the Railways and Road Safety departments, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), and responsibilities at the Director General rank for approximately two years and five months.
With his extensive experience across policing and administration, Bhagwat said his immediate focus would be to strengthen ground-level policing, improve investigations and ensure a safer environment for Hyderabad's residents.
