Petitioner Withdraws Appeal Against Telangana DGP Appointment in High Court
In a significant development in Hyderabad, city-based social worker T Dhangopal Rao has withdrawn his appeal before a division bench of the Telangana High Court. The appeal challenged the January 9 order of a single judge regarding the appointment of B Shivadhar Reddy as the Director General of Police (DGP), the head of the police force in Telangana.
Background of the Legal Challenge
Dhangopal Rao had initially filed a petition in the Telangana High Court contesting the appointment of B Shivadhar Reddy to the top police position. The single judge, in the January 9 ruling, dismissed Dhangopal's plea to suspend Reddy's appointment. Instead, the judge directed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to consider the list of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers submitted by the state government in the last week of December 2025. This directive was issued to ensure the appointment of a full-time DGP for Telangana in strict compliance with the guidelines established by the Supreme Court of India.
Appeal and Subsequent Withdrawal
Challenging this order, Dhangopal Rao moved an appeal before a division bench of the high court. However, when the matter came up for hearing before the bench comprising Justices P Sam Koshy and N Narsing Rao, Dhangopal informed the court of a new development. He stated that the Supreme Court had directed the government to expedite the process of appointing a full-time DGP (Head of Police Force) in Telangana. In light of this, he sought permission from the bench to withdraw his appeal.
The bench recorded his submission and subsequently dismissed the appeal as withdrawn, thereby disposing of the matter. This move effectively brings an end to the legal proceedings initiated by Dhangopal against the DGP appointment, aligning with the broader judicial push for a timely resolution.
Implications and Next Steps
This withdrawal underscores the ongoing efforts to adhere to Supreme Court mandates in police appointments across states. The initial single judge order had emphasized the need for the UPSC to process the state's list of IPS officers promptly, ensuring that the appointment of a full-time DGP is carried out without delay and in accordance with established legal frameworks.
With the appeal now withdrawn, the focus shifts back to the UPSC and state authorities to finalize the DGP appointment process as per the apex court's guidelines, potentially paving the way for a stabilized leadership in Telangana's police force.
