Published Feb 18, 2026 | 10:36 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 18, 2026 | 10:36 PM
Balka Suman speaks to mediapersons during his arrest. (X)
Synopsis: Telangana Police arrested former BRS MLA Balka Suman from his residence in Mancherial on 18 February, a day after tensions disrupted a special meeting to elect the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Kyathanpalli municipality. The BRS leader has been booked under various sections of the BNS, including unlawful assembly, rioting and obstructing public officials, and has been remanded to 14 days’ judicial custody.
Telangana Police arrested former BRS MLA Balka Suman from his residence in Mancherial on Wednesday, 18 February, a day after tensions flared during efforts to hold a special meeting to elect the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Kyathanpalli municipality.
He is accused of unlawful assembly, rioting and obstructing a Sub-Inspector after the elections were postponed until further notice.
Suman and six other BRS leaders were booked under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including unlawful assembly (189(3)), rioting (191(2) and 191(3)), voluntarily causing grievous hurt (121(2)), and disobedience of a public servant’s order (223(2)). The case follows a complaint filed by Devapur SI A Gangaram, who said the accused obstructed Labour Minister Dr G Vivek and Peddapalli MP G Vamshikrishna on their way to the meeting.
Large police contingents arrived at the former MLA’s residence and arrested him despite resistance from party activists. They were subsequently produced before a court, which remanded them to 14 days’ judicial custody.
The election proceedings stalled due to a lack of quorum. BRS leaders accused the ruling Congress of trying to manipulate the process despite holding only four wards in the 22-member body.
The arrest drew sharp criticism from BRS leaders. Working president K.T. Rama Rao called it “illegal and politically motivated”, and accused the Congress government of misusing police and officials to influence municipal elections across Telangana.
He said Suman is a Dalit leader and a voice for weaker sections. He claimed the arrest, carried out without prior notice, was an act of “cowardice” and demanded intervention from the State Election Commission and the Governor.
BRS Legislature Party deputy leader T Harish Rao also denounced the move. He said Suman was detained for confronting the ruling party’s “undemocratic and arrogant actions” in Kyathanpally.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
