The machinery of state governance often moves in quiet, bureaucratic increments, but occasionally, a single set of orders can signal a profound shift in the landscape of public safety and administration. On June 20, 2024, the Telangana government issued a sweeping directive that reshaped the leadership of its most critical departments, transferring 21 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in a coordinated movement of personnel. At the heart of this reorganization is a change in the command of Hyderabad, the state's bustling capital.
For the residents of Hyderabad, the most visible sign of this transition is the appointment of Mahesh Murali Bhagwat as the new Hyderabad Police Commissioner. A veteran of the 1995 batch, Bhagwat brings a deep history with the force, having previously served in the Law and Order wing. His ascent to the role of Commissioner marks a pivotal moment for the city's security apparatus as he steps into a position of immense responsibility.
He succeeds V.C. Sajjanar, a figure whose tenure in the capital is now transitioning into a different kind of service. Sajjanar has been transferred to a role that demands a different kind of vigilance: Director General of the Telangana Fire, Disaster Response, Emergency and Civil Defense department. It is a shift from the daily management of urban crime to the high-stakes realm of crisis management and public safety during emergencies.
As Charu Sinha takes the lead at the ACB, other officers have been moved to manage the complexities of the state's penal and tactical systems.
The government's orders did not stop at the capital's gates. The reshuffle appears designed to fortify several specialized pillars of the state's security and social infrastructure. Among the most significant appointments is Dr. Soumya Mishra, a member of the 1994 batch, who has been named Director General of the Women and Safety, SHE Teams, and Bhorosa division. This role places her at the center of the state's efforts to protect vulnerable populations and manage specialized safety initiatives.
In the realm of justice and oversight, the administration has also moved to solidify its investigative and correctional wings. Charu Sinha, an officer from the 1996 batch, has been appointed as the Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). In this capacity, she will continue to hold her additional responsibilities for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), centralizing much of the state's oversight and investigative power under her leadership.
Hyderabad, Telangana | The Telangana Government transferred and posted 21 IPS officers. Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagwat, DGP (Law & Order), has been posted as Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad, replacing V.C. Sajjanar. V.C. Sajjanar has been posted as Director General, Telangana Fire, Disaster Response, Emergency and Civil Defence. He will also hold full additional charge of DG, SPF. Charu Sinha has been posted as Director General, Anti-Corruption Bureau. She will also hold full additional charge of DGP, CID. Dr Soumya Mishra has been posted as DGP, Women & Safety, SHE Teams and Bharosa. She will also hold additional charge of DGP (Organisation) and DGP (Legal).
As Charu Sinha takes the lead at the ACB, other officers have been moved to manage the complexities of the state's penal and tactical systems. Swati Lakhra, also from the 1995 batch, has been appointed as the Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, a role critical to the management of the state's detention facilities.
Meanwhile, the state's elite tactical response capabilities are being directed by Vikram Singh Manna, who has been appointed as the DGP for Operations, Greyhounds, and OCTOPUS. These specialized units—the Greyhounds and OCTOPUS—are essential components of the state's ability to respond to high-intensity security threats. To support the broader legal landscape, S. Chandrasekhar Reddy has been appointed as the ACB Director, working alongside the newly appointed DG.
Beyond the immediate response to crime and terror, the reshuffle addresses the logistical and legal arteries of Telangana. M. Stephen Ravindra has been posted as the Director of the Telangana Traffic Management, Road and Rail Safety Bureau, a position tasked with the monumental challenge of maintaining order in the state's transit networks.
Law and order at a macro level will also see a change in leadership, with Akshay Subbarwal—husband of IAS officer Smrita Subbarwal—given additional charge as the DGP of Law and Order. This appointment ensures that the overarching security strategy of the state remains under experienced stewardship during this period of transition.
The Telangana government on Thursday (November 12, 2026) effected a major reshuffle of IPS officers, appointing Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagwat as the new Hyderabad Police Commissioner, replacing V.C. Sajjanar — who has been transferred as Director General of Telangana Fire, Disaster Response, Emergency and Civil Defence. https://t.co/NZajOQWKDf
The scale of the June 20 orders extended beyond the police force into the broader administrative and transport sectors. The government sought to place seasoned hands in roles that touch the daily lives of citizens through commerce and transit. Dr. Anil Kumar, a member of the 1996 batch, has been appointed as the Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TRSRTC).
In the sphere of essential goods and public welfare, Y. Nagesh Reddy has been named the Commissioner of Civil Supplies. These appointments, alongside the movement of the 21 IPS officers, suggest an effort to synchronize the leadership of the state's most vital departments.
As the new appointees take their posts, the focus shifts from the movement of personnel to the execution of their mandates. With Mahesh Bhagwat now at the helm of Hyderabad and a new leadership structure in place across the ACB, the prisons, and the emergency services, the state enters a new chapter of administrative governance.