Wed Jan 14 11:08:19 UTC 2026: # Telangana Police Detain Journalists, Sparking Political Outcry

The Story:
On January 13, 2026, three journalists from the Telugu news channel NTV were detained by the Telangana police in connection with a controversial program involving a woman IAS officer and a Telangana Minister. While officials hadn’t formally confirmed the arrests as of the afternoon of January 14, 2026, the police action follows a government-ordered probe into the telecast, leading to the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Hyderabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar five days after the program aired.

The detentions have ignited a political storm, with accusations leveled against the Congress government for targeting the media. K. T. Rama Rao, working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, strongly condemned the action, likening it to the Emergency era and demanding the immediate release of the journalists.

Key Points:

  • Three NTV journalists were detained by Telangana police on January 13, 2026.
  • The detentions are linked to a controversial program involving a woman IAS officer and a Telangana Minister.
  • The Telangana Government ordered a probe into the telecast, forming a Special Investigation Team led by V. C. Sajjanar.
  • K. T. Rama Rao of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi criticized the detentions, calling them reminiscent of the Emergency.
  • The detentions have sparked political backlash against the Congress government in Telangana.

Key Takeaways:

  • The incident raises serious concerns about press freedom in Telangana under the current Congress government.
  • The swift formation of an SIT suggests the government views the telecast as a significant issue.
  • The strong reaction from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi indicates the potential for escalating political tensions.
  • The timing of the detentions during a festival amplifies the criticism and adds to the perception of government overreach.
  • The incident highlights the ongoing sensitivity surrounding media coverage of government officials and its potential consequences.

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