Sat Apr 19 16:08:15 UTC 2025: ## IAS Officer’s Social Media Posts Spark Controversy in India
**Hyderabad, India –** A high-ranking Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Smita Sabharwal, is facing scrutiny for her social media activity. Sabharwal, who previously served in the Irrigation Department, has been questioned by police regarding posts she shared related to the controversial acquisition of 400 acres of land in Gachibowli. The posts included AI-generated images of the land.
Following questioning, Sabharwal stated that she fully cooperated with authorities and questioned the selective targeting, highlighting the resharing of the same posts by 2,000 others. She emphasized concerns about potential violations of natural justice and equality before the law.
The Chief Minister’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Ayodhya Reddy, indirectly criticized Sabharwal, questioning her seemingly changed perspective on environmental issues, particularly concerning the alleged felling of over 20 lakh trees for the Kaleshwaram project during her tenure in the CMO. Reddy questioned the timing of her concerns, implying a politically motivated stance.
Public reaction has been sharply divided. Some netizens criticized Sabharwal for sharing unverified images and violating All India Service rules regarding expressing opinions on social media. Others defended her, praising her for standing up for freedom of speech and highlighting concerns about land acquisition. The controversy continues to fuel debate over the balance between public service and freedom of expression, as well as the ethical implications of social media use by government officials.
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