The Telangana High Court has issued notices to the state government in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to halt the Hyderabad police’s ‘Cordon and Search’ operations. The court, led by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J. Sreenivas Rao, directed the Home Secretary, Police Commissioner, and DGP to explain within four weeks the reasons behind these operations, including ‘Mission Chabutra’ and ‘Operation Romeo.’ The petitioner S.Q. Masood contended that the police were conducting these actions without adhering to BNSS rules and disrupting communities at night. The petitioner’s case is represented by Advocate Syed Mounis Abidi.
This PIL questions the practices of the Hyderabad City Police, particularly regarding the Cordon and Search and Mission Chabutra operations. These police actions are intrusive, violating fundamental rights such as dignity, privacy, and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Masood experienced these operations first hand when, on May 31, 2023, over 200 police officers conducted a Cordon and Search operation in his neighborhood. Residents were awakened in the early hours without any warrants, and their homes were searched in a manner deemed arbitrary and intimidating. This incident led to widespread public criticism, particularly concerning police practices that criminalized entire neighborhoods.
Mission Chabutra operations, which target teenagers and pedestrians at night, are violations of citizens’ rights. Police have been accused of using physical force, verbal abuse, and unnecessary detention of minors and others. The practice of frisking individuals in public and private premises without proper legal procedures has drawn criticism. The petitioner’s repeated attempts to address these issues with the authorities through legal notices and representations have not yielded satisfactory responses.
The PIL seeks relief by asking the court to declare these operations unlawful and in violation of constitutional rights. It requests the court to issue orders halting such practices unless they adhere to legal procedures and respect civil liberties. It also highlights the disproportionate application of these police actions in poorer sections of Hyderabad, contrasting with the more lenient treatment of wealthier neighborhoods.
