Excise SHO and Constable Suspended in Bhadradri for Alleged Panchanama Forgery in Ganja Escape Case

The Station House Officer (SHO) of the Bhadrachalam Prohibition and Excise Station, Rahimunnisa Begum, and constable Ch Ravi Kumar have been suspended for allegedly forging a panchanama in a ganja case to cover up the escape of an accused from custody earlier this month. The suspension orders were issued by Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise C. Hari Kiran following an enquiry report submitted by the Deputy Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise, Khammam, official sources confirmed on Wednesday.

Background of the arrest and escape

The Excise Enforcement team arrested two individuals – Madhaba Hantal of Odisha and Budhra of Chhattisgarh – in Bhadrachalam on August 4 and seized 4.58 kg of dry ganja from their possession. The duo was handed over to the Bhadrachalam Excise Station the same day. However, Madhaba allegedly escaped from the custody of the station staff at around 5.40 a.m. on August 5.

According to the enquiry report, the SHO and the constable did not follow the prescribed procedure after the escape. Instead, the SHO allegedly tampered with the panchanama by forging the signatures of the detecting officers and panchas (independent witnesses). The forged panchanama was then submitted to the court, showing that only one accused had been arrested while the other was absconding. This was an alleged attempt to suppress the facts of the case and mislead the judicial process.

Enquiry findings and disciplinary action

The enquiry report flagged serious lapses on the part of the station staff. It noted that the SHO had bypassed standard protocol, which requires a detailed report of the escape and a separate panchanama to be filed. The forgery was discovered during a routine review by senior officers. The Deputy Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise, Khammam, conducted a fact-finding inquiry and submitted a report that led to the immediate suspension of both the SHO and the constable.

Commissioner Hari Kiran stated that the department has a zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct and that further departmental action is being considered. The suspended officers will remain under investigation pending a formal disciplinary hearing.

What this means for law enforcement in Telangana

This incident highlights the challenges faced by the Prohibition and Excise Department in maintaining accountability among its personnel, especially in drug-related cases. The alleged forgery undermines the credibility of seizure procedures and court submissions. For residents of Bhadradri Kothagudem and surrounding areas, the case raises concerns about the handling of narcotics enforcement and the integrity of excise officers.

The department has assured that additional training and oversight measures will be reviewed to prevent such lapses. The case also serves as a reminder that accused persons in excise custody are often from other states, and escape risks may be higher when proper guard protocols are not followed.

Key facts

Impact on local safety and public trust

For Hyderabad and Telangana residents, this case underscores the importance of transparency in drug enforcement. The Excise Department is a key agency in curbing narcotics trade, especially along the Odisha and Chhattisgarh borders. Any breach of procedure can lead to acquittals or delays in court. The public may rightly question how often such forgery occurs, and whether the department has adequate checks.

The suspension of two officers is a strong signal that the department is willing to act against internal wrongdoing. However, the full extent of the alleged cover-up is yet to be determined through the disciplinary process. The court will also need to decide on the validity of the panchanama submitted earlier, which could affect the case against the remaining accused.

Source: The Hindu – Hyderabad, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/excise-sho-constable-suspended-over-alleged-forgery-of-panchanama-in-ganja-case-to-cover-up-accuseds-escape/article71393691.ece