Hyderabad, September 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Telangana High Court has directed police not to obstruct legislators from entering the state Assembly, observing that any violation of Assembly rules is a matter for the Speaker to deal with and not the police.
The court also directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to identify police personnel allegedly involved in manhandling women legislators of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) during Monday’s confrontation at the Assembly entrance, take strict action against those found responsible and submit a report.
The interim directions were issued on a petition filed by the BRS challenging the police action and will be considered further on September 21.
The BRS told the court that its legislators were stopped by police while proceeding towards the Assembly and prevented from entering the premises. Its counsel alleged that one woman legislator had her saree pulled, while another woman legislator, a former Home Minister, was allegedly held by the neck.
The counsel further alleged that male BRS legislators wearing black T-shirts carrying slogans criticising the government were also manhandled, with some sustaining injuries.
The petitioner argued that police had no authority to prevent legislators from entering the Assembly and maintained that any action over their attire or alleged violation of Assembly rules had to be taken by the Speaker.
Expressing apprehension that similar incidents could occur in the coming days, the BRS sought directions preventing police from obstructing legislators and asked the court to direct the DGP to investigate the alleged excesses and initiate action against the personnel responsible.
The government, however, referred to the Telangana Legislative Assembly’s Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, particularly Rule 316 and clauses (xiii) and (xv). The government pleader for Home said members were prohibited from wearing or displaying badges of any kind in the House and could not display flags, emblems or exhibits without the Speaker’s permission.
He submitted that the legislators were wearing black T-shirts carrying slogans while proceeding towards the Assembly and suggested this could have prompted the police to stop them.
The High Court’s interim order places the responsibility for enforcing Assembly rules with the Speaker while separately directing scrutiny of the alleged conduct of police personnel during the incident.
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