Hyderabad: The 2025-batch Trainee IPS officer M Uday Krishna Reddy was granted conditional bail by the Upparapally court on Tuesday, after spending 67 days in judicial custody in connection with a sexual harassment case involving a fellow woman IPS trainee.
The court directed Reddy to furnish two sureties of Rs 25,000 each and appear before the police every Sunday as part of the bail conditions.
The case has witnessed several developments since the complaint was filed in July, including Reddy’s alleged suicide attempt shortly after the FIR, the subsequent addition of rape-related provisions and a legal dispute over a proposed potency test.
What Led to Reddy’s Arrest?
The Attapur Police registered a case against Reddy following a complaint by a fellow woman IPS trainee.
The complainant accused him of sexual harassment, physical assault, criminal intimidation, stalking and secretly recording a private video without her consent.
The complaint was filed on July 18, following which police invoked provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
Reddy has denied the allegations and maintained that he and the complainant had been in a relationship.
Read also: Telangana HC Quashes Potency Test Order Against Trainee IPS Officer M. Uday Krishna Reddy
What Are the Allegations?
According to the complaint, the woman alleged that Reddy physically assaulted her, threatened her and attempted to blackmail her using a private video.
The allegations formed the basis of the initial criminal investigation. Reddy, however, has disputed the allegations and claimed that the relationship between the two was consensual.
Alleged Suicide Attempt After FIR
The case took another turn shortly after the FIR was registered.
Reddy was hospitalised in Hyderabad after allegedly consuming an unknown substance at a friend’s or relative’s residence. Police described the incident as a suspected suicide attempt, although the exact circumstances were subject to medical verification.
A note reportedly recovered during the episode contained Reddy’s version of events. In it, he denied the allegations and claimed that he had been in a relationship with the complainant.
Subsequent proceedings before the Telangana High Court also recorded that police sought custody of Reddy to recover his mobile phone and the original suicide note as part of the investigation.
Harassment Case Later Escalated to Rape Charges
The investigation subsequently widened after police added Section 64(1) read with Section 63(b)(iii) and Section 109 of the BNS, along with the offences already included in the FIR.
The additional provisions followed the complainant’s statement and other material collected during the investigation.
With the new provisions, the scope of the investigation expanded, with police continuing to record statements and collect other evidence.
Legal Battle Over Proposed Potency Test
Another significant development in the case involved a proposed potency test on Reddy.
Police sought permission for a medico-legal examination, stating that the examination was necessary for collecting scientific evidence during the investigation.
The trial court initially declined the request, observing that the prosecution had not sufficiently explained why the test was necessary or how it would assist the investigation.
A subsequent order permitted the examination, which Reddy challenged before the Telangana High Court.
In its September 9 order, the High Court examined the issue in detail. The court noted the nature of the prosecution’s allegation, including the claim of digital penetration, rather than penile penetration, and ultimately interfered with the order permitting the potency test.
Police Academy Also Initiated Internal Proceedings
The criminal investigation was accompanied by separate proceedings at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), where both officers were undergoing training.
The Academy’s Internal Complaints Committee sought an explanation from Reddy in connection with the allegations.
These internal proceedings were separate from the criminal investigation being conducted by the Hyderabad Police.
Meanwhile, investigators continued to treat Reddy’s mobile phone as an important piece of evidence and collected statements from the complainant and other witnesses.
Arrest and 67 Days in Judicial Custody
Reddy was arrested by the Hyderabad Police on July 29 and produced before the Upparapally court, which remanded him to judicial custody.
He remained in custody for 67 days before being granted conditional bail on Tuesday.
Under the bail conditions, Reddy has been directed to furnish two sureties of Rs 25,000 each and appear before the police every Sunday.
The grant of bail does not amount to a finding on the allegations against him. The criminal case and the investigation will continue in accordance with law.
Read also: Telangana HC Puts IPS Trainee Uday Krishna Reddy’s Potency Test on Hold | Plea to Be Heard
