Veteran Intelligence Chief Takes Charge as State’s Top Cop
The Government of Telangana has appointed Battula Shivadhar Reddy (IPS:1994:TG) as the new Director General of Police (DGP), succeeding Dr. Jitender (IPS:1992:TG) who retired upon superannuation.
The appointment order was formally handed over by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday. In addition to his new role, Reddy will also serve as DGP (Coordination).
A Distinguished Career in Policing
Hailing from Tool-e-Kalan village in Ranga Reddy district, Shivadhar Reddy is a 1994-batch IPS officer with over three decades of service. A law graduate from Osmania University, he began his career as an advocate before clearing the Civil Services Examination in 1994.
Reddy’s service record spans diverse fields including traffic management, intelligence, anti-corruption, personnel, and police administration, with impactful postings across both undivided Andhra Pradesh and the newly formed Telangana.
He began his policing career as ASP, Visakhapatnam, and later served as SP in Nalgonda, Srikakulam, Nellore, and Guntur.
Key Roles During Sensitive Times
As DCP, South Zone, Hyderabad, Reddy played a crucial role in maintaining peace after the 2007 Mecca Masjid blast and subsequent communal tensions.
A veteran of the elite Greyhounds force, he also represented India in the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) in 2003, earning international recognition.
Leadership in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
Following the creation of Telangana in 2014, Reddy became the first Chief of the Intelligence Department with the rank of Inspector General.
He later served as
Commissioner of Police, Visakhapatnam
Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)
Head, Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) and the Personnel Wing
In 2023, he was recalled to lead Telangana’s Intelligence Department under the newly elected Congress government. Elevated as DGP in August 2024, he continued in intelligence leadership until this latest appointment as the state’s top police officer.
Public-Centric Initiatives
Known for people-oriented policing, Reddy has spearheaded several initiatives:
“Arrive Alive” campaign in Visakhapatnam to promote road safety
Public complaint boxes across Telangana to strengthen police-public engagement
CCTV-based crime prevention in partnership with hotel owners (2016)
VeriFast mobile app, streamlining passport verification, for which he received a Certificate of Excellence from the Minister of External Affairs (2025)
Awards and Recognition
Mr. Reddy’s exemplary service has been recognized with numerous prestigious honors, including:
Police Medal for Gallantry (2002)
United Nations Medal (2003)
Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service (2011)
Asadharan Aasuchana Kushalta Padak (2018) for intelligence excellence
President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (2020)
Outlook
With his appointment as Telangana’s Director General of Police, Shivadhar Reddy brings a proven record of operational leadership, crisis management, and intelligence expertise. His tenure is expected to focus on strengthening law enforcement, deepening community engagement, and leveraging technology to enhance policing efficiency across the state.
