Telangana official breaks into house of IAS officer Smita Sabharwal at midnight; booked

A deputy tehsildar in Hyderabad broke into the residence of a female IAS officer in the city's Jubilee Hills neighbourhood at midnight two days ago. The IAS officer, who is active on social media, shared her harrowing experience on Twitter.

Hyderabad: A Telangana government official was arrested for allegedly intruding into the house of senior IAS officer Smita Sabharwal here, even as the former claimed to have gone to the place to discuss service issues with her, police said on Sunday. The incident happened on Thursday night when a deputy tehsildar identified as Anand Reddy intruded into the house of Sabharwal, the police said.

The IAS officer raised an alarm after noticing the man in her house following which the security personnel caught hold of him and alerted the police. "Had this most harrowing experience, a night back when an intruder broke into my house. I had the presence of mind to deal and save my life. Lessons: no matter how secure you think you are - always check the doors/locks personally. #Dial100 in emergency," Sabharwal tweeted.

• Had this most harrowing experience, a night back when an intruder broke into my house. I had the presence of mind to deal and save my life.
  Lessons: no matter how secure you think you are- always check the doors/ locks personally.#Dial100 in emergency

  — Smita Sabharwal (@SmitaSabharwal) January 22, 2023 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  Had this most harrowing experience, a night back when an intruder broke into my house. I had the presence of mind to deal and save my life.
  Lessons: no matter how secure you think you are- always check the doors/ locks personally.#Dial100 in emergency

  — Smita Sabharwal (@SmitaSabharwal) January 22, 2023

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  Had this most harrowing experience, a night back when an intruder broke into my house. I had the presence of mind to deal and save my life.
  Lessons: no matter how secure you think you are- always check the doors/ locks personally.#Dial100 in emergency

  — Smita Sabharwal (@SmitaSabharwal) January 22, 2023

The deputy tehsildar, was booked under Indian Penal Code Section 458 based on a complaint lodged by the IAS officer, a police official at Jubilee Hills Police Station said. Section 458 of IPC deals with lurking, trespass or house-breaking by night after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint. The deputy tehsildar has claimed that he went to the IAS officer's house regarding his service.

The case was registered against the official, who had gone to the IAS officer's house in a car along with his friend, who was waiting in the car outside and the duo was subsequently arrested. They were lodged in a central prison here. The deputy tehsildar has claimed that he was facing problem in getting promotion and in that regard he went to the IAS officer's house to seek some help over the matter, the police official said adding: "However, a police custody petition will be filed (in the court) and we will take them into custody and interrogate to ascertain the truth."

Smita Sabharwal, a 2001 batch belonging to Telangana cadre, is popularly known as 'The People’s Officer' for addressing citizen issues by involving people. She is the first female IAS Officer to be appointed to the Chief Minister's Office. She is presently working as Secretary to CM Government of Telangana and holds additional charge as Secretary, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department.