Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], July 31 (ANI): The Banjara Hills police have registered a case against 26 individuals, including BJP activists and Bajrang Dal members, for obstructing police duties and resorting to violence during an attempt to conduct prayers at the Peddamma Thalli temple in Banjara Hills.
According to officials, the activists attempted to perform prayers and participate in the Bonalu festival at the temple, which had been demolished for being located on government land. When police intervened to prevent the gathering, the situation escalated, leading to a protest as the group forced entry to continue the religious ceremony.
As stated in the FIR filed by Sub-Inspector B. Srinivasulu of Banjara Hills Police Station, “On July 28, 2025, we received a request for police protection concerning a government land encroachment issue at MLA Colony, Banjara Hills. The request was submitted by Anitha Reddy, Tahsildar, Shaikpet Mandal.”
“In response, we deployed officers on July 29 for bandobust duty. Around 1:00 p.m., a group of approximately 200 individuals arrived at the site carrying Bonalu offerings and attempted to conduct prayers without permission. The group committed criminal trespass, created a public nuisance, damaged police barricades and gates, and obstructed the police in the discharge of their lawful duties,” the FIR states.
The report further mentions that the protestors resorted to violence, converting barricades into offensive weapons and dragging on-duty officers to the ground. Revenue officials had erected blue tin sheets around the disputed land to secure it, but protestors broke through the gate and clashed with the police.
Upon investigation, police identified several individuals alleged to have instigated the unrest. These include BJP activist Karate Kalyani, BJP Hyderabad President Lanka Deepak Reddy, Bajrang Dal members Mahesh Kumar Yadav and Subramanyam, and BJYM members Praveen and Arjun, among others. Others named in the FIR include Shiva Kumar, Jeevan, Rada Manohar Das Swamy, Naveen Yadav and his family members, Jayamma Yadav, Priya Chowdary (Hindu activist and advocate), Raki (a transgender person), K. Vijaya, Hyndhavi Reddy Pandem, Ratna Kumar alias Chintu, Pooja Sai alias Shiva Shakti, Brahmam, Shiva Prasad (Bajrangdal Sena General Secretary), Shiva Ram, Satyanarayana, Aravind Kumar, and Rohit Yadav.
“In view of the above, I request legal action against the aforementioned individuals for obstructing police personnel, disturbing public peace and order, and hindering lawful duties,” SI B. Srinivasulu stated in the complaint filed on July 29 at 3:00 p.m.
Based on the complaint, SI K. Surendhar of Banjara Hills Police Station registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 121(1), 191(2), 191(3), 195(1), 132, 351(2), 324(4), 79, 126(2), 329(3), 292, 61(2), read with Section 190 BNS, as well as Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act. The investigation has been entrusted to SI P. Ravinder.
