Mahesh Bhagwat faces major challenges as Hyderabad Police Commissioner
Mahesh M Bhagwat
Hyderabad: Having gained considerable experience during his tenure as Rachakonda Police Commissioner, Director General (DG) rank officer Mahesh M. Bhagwat faces several challenges in his new assignment as Hyderabad Police Commissioner, including the ensuing GHMC elections.
Following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, the new Police Commissioner will have to oversee law and order arrangements for the upcoming GHMC elections. The sensational phone-tapping case, currently being investigated by Hyderabad police, will also remain a major challenge, as several political leaders and senior police officers were allegedly involved in intercepting mobile phone conversations. Addressing traffic congestion and improving coordination among officers within Hyderabad police limits will also be among his priorities.
During his six-and-a-half-year tenure as Rachakonda Police Commissioner, Mahesh M. Bhagwat left a significant mark by maintaining law and order and dismantling international human trafficking syndicates through action against key players involved in the cases. For the first time, he issued orders for the attachment of properties allegedly used for human trafficking activities.
The ensuing GHMC elections are expected to pose a major challenge for the new Police Commissioner in terms of maintaining law and order, monitoring social media activities and addressing other election-related issues. However, during his tenure as Rachakonda Police Commissioner, Bhagwat had handled the GHMC elections held in 2020 by closely monitoring the law and order situation. He also took measures to prevent communal flare-ups by deploying police forces at sensitive locations.
Sources said Mahesh Bhagwat, who assumed charge as the new Police Commissioner a few days ago, has planned an initial round of meetings with his subordinates, including Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), to discuss various issues concerning Hyderabad. He is expected to issue directions on several administrative and policing matters.
The sources further said that the new Police Commissioner plans to interact with every Station House Officer (SHO) across all zones to obtain inputs on the functioning of individual police stations. He is also likely to introduce a proper feedback mechanism to gather responses from visitors to police stations. Moreover, Bhagwat is planning surprise visits to police stations to assess ground-level conditions.
Mahesh M. Bhagwat is also expected to interact with Hyderabad Joint Police Commissioner S.M. Vijay Kumar, who initially monitored the sensational phone-tapping case and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the matter. The case allegedly involves political leaders and senior IPS officers.
Sources said Bhagwat has drawn up a schedule to meet officials from various wings of Hyderabad police in the coming days to hold detailed discussions on key issues and strengthen the functioning of the department.