Secunderabad police review arrangements for Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu festival

Image for representation purpose only. | According to official sources, the CIC visited the police station on Monday (July 13, 2026) as part of a statewide inspection drive to assess compliance with RTI provisions in government offices. However, the Sub-Inspector and Circle Inspector reportedly stopped him at the entrance, stating that he could enter the premises only after obtaining permission from the district Superintendent of Police (SP).Following the refusal, the CIC returned without inspecting the police station. He later continued his scheduled inspection by visiting the nearby Mandal Tahasildar and Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO) offices.The development assumes significance as the Andhra Pradesh Information Commission has just concluded a two-day statewide inspection covering 258 government offices across 18 districts to evaluate the implementation of the RTI Act at the field level.The inspection teams, led by Mr. Vajja Srinivasa Rao and Information Commissioners Rehana Begum, Chavali Sunil, P. Simhachalam Naidu, Vonteru Ravi Babu, Gajula Adenna and V.S.C.K. Chakravarthy, examined whether Public Information Officers (PIOs) and First Appellate Authorities (FAAs) were maintaining mandatory records and displaying statutory information boards required under the Act.During a review meeting held at the State Information Commission office in Mangalagiri on Tuesday evening, the Commission found widespread violations of Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act. It identified deficiencies in maintaining mandatory records, displaying details of PIOs and FAAs, Annexures I and II, and citizen service information boards. Show-cause notices were issued to 162 Public Information Officers for non-compliance. The Commission also observed that RTI norms were largely absent in village and ward secretariats.The Commission has treated the Medikonduru PS entry denial incident seriously, particularly as the CIC was carrying out a statutory inspection. The Commission decided to initiate all appropriate legal action to ensure the officer obeys the law. Mr. Srinivasa Rao, when asked about the denial at Medikonduru, said that once the police officials blocked the entry into the PS by standing at the gate, he returned without any further argument with the personnel.The Commission is also expected to submit a detailed report on its statewide inspections to the Governor and the State Government, recommending measures for stricter implementation of the RTI Act across all government departments. Published - July 15, 2026 12:24 pm IST

C. Mageshwari is currently serving as Inspector General of Police in the Special Investigation Cell-I of the DVAC. File. | Arun from the position of Director of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC). He has been posted as ADGP/Director of the Tamil Nadu Police Academy in Oonamancherry.Mr. Arun served as the Greater Chennai City Police Commissioner from July 2024 to April 2026 and was transferred on the directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI) during the recent Assembly elections. After the TVK-led coalition government, headed by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, assumed office, he was appointed Director of the DVAC on May 25. He has now been transferred within two months of taking charge.Inspector General of Police C. Mageshwari has been given additional charge as the Director of the DVAC. She is currently serving as Inspector General of Police in the Special Investigation Cell-I of the DVAC, according to a Home Department order. Published - July 13, 2026 07:37 pm IST

Transport Minister and Hyderabad in-charge Ponnam Prabhakar said the government had sanctioned ₹15.05 crore for 3,427 temples in the erstwhile GHMC limits for the conduct of Bonalu festivities scheduled from July 16 to August 13.Describing Bonalu as a symbol of Telangana’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage, he said lakhs of devotees were expected to visit temples during the month-long celebrations and that every effort was being made to ensure a safe and hassle-free experience for pilgrims.The festivities will begin on July 16 at the Sri Jagadamba Mahankali Temple in Golconda. The annual Balkampet Yellamma temple celebrations will be held from July 20 to 22, featuring the Edurkolu on July 20, the celestial wedding (Kalyanotsavam) on July 21 and the Rathotsavam on July 22.Bonalu will be celebrated at the Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Temple in Secunderabad on August 2, followed by the traditional Rangam programme on August 3. The famous Lal Darwaza Simhavahini Mahankali Bonalu will be observed on August 9, alongside celebrations at other prominent temples across the city. The Minister said the State government would offer traditional pattu vastrams (silk clothes) at nearly 30 major temples. Published - July 13, 2026 07:25 pm IST

The investigation began after a small-time woman vendor in Huliyar of Tumakuru district alerted the police about a counterfeit ₹500 note. | The operation has led to the arrest of six accused, while the search is on for the kingpin.The investigation began after a small-time woman vendor in Huliyar of Tumakuru district alerted the police about a counterfeit ₹500 note. An investigator in the case told The Hindu that earlier this week, two of the accused bought a pack of tobacco and paid her with a ₹500 note. Although she grew suspicious about the currency, she accepted it and returned the change. Minutes later, she called the Huliyar police and informed them that she had been handed a counterfeit note.“She had noted the registration number of the car in which the accused had arrived and informed us,” the officer said. Subsequently, one police vehicle chased the accused’s car, while officers coordinated with the Chikkanayakanahalli police and alerted them regarding the vehicle on the move towards their jurisdiction, police sources said.The meticulous coordination between the two police stations eventually resulted in the duo being intercepted. A senior officer overseeing the case said that when the vehicle was searched, the duo was found in possession of 39 counterfeit ₹500 notes. They were subsequently taken into custody.“Sustained interrogation led us to four more people residing in different districts. Eventually, one of the prime accused was arrested in Bengaluru, while another accused fled from the scene,” the officer said.Investigations revealed that the accused arrested in Bengaluru worked closely with the kingpin and helped him print the counterfeit currency. The police suspect that the printing facility is located somewhere in Bengaluru and have continued the investigation.Police sources said there are more foot soldiers yet to be traced. The kingpin and the accused arrested in Bengaluru allegedly printed the counterfeit currency and roped in foot soldiers to circulate the notes. The foot soldiers were recruited through a common network and supplied with counterfeit notes. They were then instructed to travel through rural areas and use the counterfeit currency.The police are now tracing the kingpin, whose arrest is expected to reveal how the design was replicated and where the printing equipment is being kept. The names of the accused are not disclosed as the investigations are under way. Published - July 10, 2026 11:57 pm IST

The Secunderabad police held a convergence meeting with officials from various government departments and festival organisers to review arrangements for the Shree Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu Festival.Heads of various government departments, members of the Ujjaini Mahankali Temple Committee, organisers of Palaram Bandi, Thotela and welcome stages, along with other festival committee members, attended the meeting on Thursday.Officials reviewed traffic management, security arrangements, crowd control measures and other logistical preparations required for the smooth conduct of the festival. The DCP stressed the need for close coordination among all departments and instructed the agencies concerned to complete the arrangements well in advance to ensure the celebrations are held safely and peacefully.The meeting was chaired by DCP (Secunderabad Zone) Rakshitha Krishna Murthy. Additional DCP J. Narsaiah, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ch. Sridhar and Mahankali Inspector S. Ravi Kumar were among the officials present. Published - July 10, 2026 08:25 pm IST