Telangana: Probe ordered into 'cheating charge against Shinde, FM

Home Minister had yesterday stated that more time is needed to reach final decision on Telangana

A metropolitan court today ordered the police to probe the allegation that Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and his predecessor P Chidambaram "cheated" the people of Telangana with their statements on the statehood issue, even as the region continued to simmer over the demand.

Metropolitan Magistrate of Rangareddy district UD Durga Prasad directed the police to investigate the charge levelled in a complaint by Telangana Junior Advocates' Association president Naresh Kumar that the two Union ministers had "cheated" the people of Telangana, and file a status report by February 14.

Kumar has sought court's direction to the police to probe the matter under section 420 (cheating) of IPC.

Following an all-party meeting in Delhi on Telangana on December 28 last year, Shinde had said a decision on the vexed issue would be made within a month.

With the time line ending today, the Home Minister had yesterday stated that a little more time is needed to reach a final decision on the Telangana issue for which the consultation process was on.

On December 9, 2009, the then Union Home Minister Chidambaram had announced that the process to create a Telangana state would be initiated with moving of a resolution in the state assembly.

However, as protests mounted against the proposed bifurcation of the state in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, Chidambaram had said on December 23, 2009 that the Central government wanted to consider "all views" on the demand for a separate Telangana state and that "peace and tranquility should be maintained".

Effectively putting the demand for a separate Telangana state in abeyance, Chidambaram had said, "At a meeting of all political parties on December 7 a consensus emerged on Telangana. The situation has altered now. Centre wants to take all views before coming to a decision. Peace and tranquility should be maintained."

Meanwhile, Cyberabad Police Commissioner Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao has said he is yet to receive the court's order.

Asked if the police would lodge any case against the Union Ministers, the officer said, "We have to first go through the copy of the order and act accordingly."

Meanwhile, Telangana region, with its epicentre in state capital Hyderabad, simmered as protests continued on the second day of 36-hour 'Samara Deeksha".