The Telangana High Court in Hyderabad on 23 October 2026 affirmed the order of a single‑judge bench that reinstated Sub‑Inspector Konda Janaiah, a 2018‑batch officer dismissed over a marital dispute case. The division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice P Sam Koshy and Justice Narsing Rao Nandikonda, rejected the police department's appeal against the April 2026 ruling that set aside Janaiah's termination and declared him an approved probationer.
Janaiah had been serving at Jubilee Hills Police Station when the department terminated his service in May 2025. The court observed that the police failed to produce any evidence proving misconduct unbecoming of a government employee. The only basis for his dismissal was a domestic‑violence and dowry harassment complaint lodged by his wife at Godavarikhani 1 police station, a case that remains pending before a court in Godavarikhani.
Further scrutiny revealed procedural irregularities. In November 2020, disciplinary action resulted only in a one‑increment postponement without cumulative effect. Subsequent extensions of his probation were issued in July 2021 and December 2023, despite the original probation period having already expired. A show‑cause notice arrived in November 2024, yet the department proceeded with termination despite an earlier stay order.
The bench highlighted that Janaiah's maximum probation concluded in November 2021, meaning he should have been confirmed in service under existing rules. Consequently, the High Court upheld the single‑judge decision, restoring his position and emphasizing that the pending marital case could not justify dismissal.
Image: siasat.com
📰 Source: Siasat Gulf