Battula Shivadhar Reddy Appointed as New Telangana DGP
Hyderabad, Sept. 26:
The Telangana Government has appointed senior IPS officer Battula Shivadhar Reddy as the new Director General of Police (DGP). A 1994-batch officer, Reddy is currently serving as the state’s Intelligence Chief and will formally assume charge as DGP on October 1. Government orders are expected shortly.
Born in Hyderabad, with roots in Tool-e-Kalan (Peddatundla) village, Ibrahimpatan mandal, Rangareddy district, Reddy pursued his entire education in Hyderabad and holds a law degree (LL.B.) from Osmania University. He cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 1994 and was allotted the Andhra Pradesh cadre, later reassigned to Telangana following bifurcation in 2014.
A Distinguished Career
Reddy has served in multiple critical positions across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He began as ASP in Visakhapatnam district (1996–98) and went on to work as Squadron Commander with the Greyhounds, SP in Nalgonda, Srikakulam, Nellore, and Guntur, and DCP (Traffic) and DCP (South Zone) in Hyderabad.
He also served on deputation to the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) as part of a peacekeeping mission. Later, as DIG, he headed the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB), before being posted as Additional Director and Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). He also served as Commissioner of Police, Visakhapatnam (2012–14), where he launched the “Arrive Alive” campaign on road safety.
After Telangana’s formation, he was chosen by the TRS Government to lead the Intelligence Department. In December 2023, the Congress Government reinstated him as Chief of Intelligence (ADGP rank), a post he continued to hold until being elevated as DGP.
Key Contributions
- As SP, Nalgonda (2000–02), he was instrumental in ending the violent activities of the banned CPI (ML) (PW), later CPI (Maoist).
- As SP in Nellore and Guntur (2004–07), he curbed factional and communal violence using preventive detention measures.
- In 2007, as DCP, South Zone, Hyderabad, he handled the aftermath of the Mecca Masjid blast and subsequent tensions, engaging communities to restore peace.
- He is credited with planning the 2016 operation that eliminated gangster Nayeem.
- His initiatives in road safety and crime prevention in Visakhapatnam, including CCTV surveillance in hotels, drew wide appreciation.
Awards and Recognition
Reddy is widely regarded as a no-nonsense officer known for impartiality and professionalism. Over the years, he has received several prestigious medals and honors, including:
- Police Medal for Gallantry (2002)
- Antrik Suraksha Seva Medal (2003)
- United Nations Peace Medal (2003)
- Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service (2011)
- President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (2020)
- Ati Utkrisht Seva Padak (2023)
Other notable recognitions include commendations from the Intelligence Bureau (2015), the “Asadharan Aasuchana Kushalta Padak” (2018), and Certificates of Excellence (2015 & 2025) from the Ministry of External Affairs for his contributions to digital verification services through the Telangana Police’s “VeriFast” application.
With over three decades of service in intelligence, law and order, anti-corruption, and counter-extremism operations, Shivadhar Reddy’s appointment is expected to further strengthen Telangana’s police force.
