Hyderabad: The case involving trainee IPS officer Uday Krishna Reddy (2025 batch), who is facing allegations of sexual harassment and other offences against a fellow trainee IPS officer, has taken a fresh turn after former CBI director M Nageswara Rao raised concerns over his alleged treatment in custody.
Mr Rao has written to Telangana Director General of Police CV Anand, alleging that Reddy was subjected to custodial ill-treatment and that Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar allegedly threatened him with an encounter. The former CBI chief has sought that the matter be transferred to the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) for an independent inquiry.
The allegations made by Rao are based on reported statements and media reports concerning Reddy’s custody. They have not been established by an independent investigation, and the allegations against the police officials remain subject to verification.
Former CBI Chief Seeks Independent Probe
In his letter to the Telangana DGP on Sunday, August 9, Rao expressed concern over reports about the manner in which Reddy was allegedly treated while in police custody.
Rao said he was particularly disturbed by reports that Reddy had broken down before a Judicial Magistrate and complained about being subjected to what he described as inhuman treatment during custody and interrogation.
More seriously, Rao referred to allegations that Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar personally interrogated the trainee IPS officer and allegedly threatened him with serious consequences, including an alleged threat to kill him in an encounter.
Seeking an independent examination of the allegations, Rao urged the DGP to transfer the matter to the CB-CID.
He also called for preservation of all relevant evidence and an appropriate inquiry into the conduct of the police officers concerned.
Rao Raises Questions Over Custodial Treatment
The former CBI director has specifically asked the Telangana police leadership to examine the circumstances surrounding Reddy’s custody and the allegations reportedly made before the magistrate.
The demand for an independent inquiry assumes significance because the allegations concern the conduct of police officials involved in the investigation itself.
Mr Rao has urged the authorities to ensure that any available evidence relating to the alleged custodial treatment and interrogation is preserved. This could include relevant official records and other material connected with Reddy’s detention and questioning.
The former CBI chief also asked the DGP to review the case registered against Reddy at Attapur Police Station on July 18.
What Is the Case Against Trainee IPS Officer Uday Krishna Reddy?
Uday Krishna Reddy was booked by Hyderabad’s Attapur Police in July following a complaint by a female trainee IPS officer.
According to the FIR, the complainant alleged that Reddy had been harassing her since June 23. The allegations include sending abusive messages, making derogatory remarks about her in front of other trainee officers and questioning her personal relationships.
The complaint further alleges that Reddy accused the woman of having a sexual relationship with another trainee officer and forced her to show her personal chats.
The FIR contains several serious allegations concerning incidents that allegedly took place during the period of their interaction.
According to the complaint, on July 9, Reddy allegedly forcibly took the woman to her room, grabbed her hair and attempted to strangle her while holding a knife against her neck. The complaint further alleges that he threw three condom packets at her.
The complainant also alleged that a day earlier, Reddy had attempted to grope her.
Another serious allegation concerns private videos. The complaint alleges that Reddy recorded private videos of the woman and subsequently sent them to her husband.
These allegations form the basis of the criminal case against Reddy and remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.
Charges Under BNS and IT Act
The police case invokes several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as well as the Information Technology Act.
The sections cited in the case include provisions dealing with assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, sexual harassment, voyeurism, stalking, insulting the modesty of a woman, wrongful confinement, voluntarily causing hurt and criminal intimidation.
The case also invokes Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, concerning violation of privacy, and Section 67A, relating to publishing or transmitting material containing sexually explicit acts.
The allegations against Reddy are currently being dealt with through the legal process, and the charges have not been established as guilt by a court.
Former CBI Chief Questions Circumstances Behind Complaint
Rao’s letter also refers to the personal and professional circumstances surrounding the complainant.
According to his letter, the woman IPS trainee was in a relationship with Reddy in 2025. Rao alleged that she subsequently married an IAS officer and sought a cadre transfer to mainland India.
Mr Rao further stated that while her request for cadre change was under consideration, she approached the police and alleged that her relationship with Reddy had been non-consensual.
These claims form part of Rao’s representation to the DGP and would need to be independently examined by the investigating authorities.
Why the CB-CID Demand Matters
The demand for a CB-CID investigation introduces a second layer to the case. While Reddy is facing a criminal investigation over allegations made by the woman trainee IPS officer, the former CBI chief has now called for an independent inquiry into the allegations concerning his custody.
The two issues involve different questions: the allegations against Reddy relate to the conduct described in the FIR, while Rao’s representation concerns the conduct of police officials during the investigation and custody.
Mr Rao has therefore sought that the allegations of custodial ill-treatment and the alleged encounter threat be examined separately and independently.
If such a probe is ordered, investigators would be expected to establish what occurred during Reddy’s custody, whether the alleged statements before the magistrate were made, and whether there is any evidence supporting the allegation that he was threatened with an encounter.
Case Now Under Fresh Scrutiny
The intervention by a former CBI director has brought renewed attention to the case, which had initially centred on allegations of sexual harassment against a trainee IPS officer.
The latest development has shifted some of the focus towards the manner in which the accused officer was allegedly treated after his arrest.
Mr Rao’s request to the Telangana DGP includes three broad demands: an independent inquiry through the CB-CID, preservation of relevant evidence and examination of the conduct of the police officers concerned.
At present, the allegations regarding custodial ill-treatment and the alleged encounter threat remain allegations made in Rao’s representation and have not been independently established.
The original criminal case against Reddy, meanwhile, continues to involve serious allegations under the BNS and IT Act, and its outcome will depend on the investigation and subsequent judicial proceedings.
Read also: SVPNPA Sexual Assault Case: Interim Bail Plea of Trainee IPS Officer Uday Krishna Reddy Rejected
