Police slapped Saketh Kumar, owner of Oxygen Fitness Club, with charges under Sections 74, 75(2), and 132 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on Wednesday. The allegations stem from an incident in South Hyderabad’s Almasguda area during the early hours of the Ganesh immersion celebrations. A woman sub-inspector, deployed for crowd control, attempted to disperse a group of men who were drinking and causing a disturbance. Kumar allegedly interfered with her duties, using criminal force to outrage her modesty and obstruct her line of duty.
The officer filed a complaint immediately after the confrontation. Meerpet Inspector B Shobhan confirmed that Kumar fled the scene and is currently evading capture. "The accused was on the run, and the police were making efforts to locate him," Shobhan stated. The charges include sexual harassment and assault against a public servant, carrying significant legal weight under the newly implemented BNS framework.
This incident occurred against a backdrop of massive security operations. Director General of Police CV Anand reported that 30,000 personnel were deployed across Hyderabad for the 2026 immersion processions. The scale of the operation was necessary to manage 1.24 lakh idols installed in public spaces statewide. Despite the heavy deployment, the festive period saw tragic consequences.
Anand disclosed that 13 people, including one police sub-inspector, lost their lives during the festivities. An additional 26 individuals sustained injuries. The death of a fellow officer highlights the dangerous conditions law enforcement faced during the crowded processions. Police are now prioritizing the apprehension of Kumar to ensure the integrity of the investigation.