Dt: 24 August 2026
To
Shri A. Revanth Reddy
Chief Minister of Telangana, Hyderabad
Subject: Appeal for a humane review of the cases of persons alleged to be Maoist supporters or sympathisers languishing in Telangana prisons
(Through Mr. V. Sheshadri, IAS, Principal Secretary to CM)
Respected Sir,
The Human Rights Forum (HRF) is a citizens’ forum established nearly three decades ago with the objective of working for the protection of Constitutionally guaranteed and internationally recognised rights of all people.
We wish to draw your attention to a grave humanitarian and human rights concern. This concerns the prolonged incarceration of a significant number of persons in Telangana on allegations of being supporters, sympathisers or associates of the Maoist movement.
The HRF appreciates the humane and progressive approach adopted by the Congress Government in the recent release of 314 life convicts in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. We also welcome the release of 460 undertrial prisoners through Jail Adalats. These measures demonstrate an approach to criminal justice that recognises that incarceration must serve the ends of justice and cannot become an end in itself.
It is in this context that we believe the same humane and Constitutional outlook deserves to be extended to persons facing cases arising from alleged association with the Maoist movement, particularly those who have remained in prison for prolonged periods without trial or without being able to secure bail.
During the past year, a large number of persons associated with the Maoist movement, including some who were previously members of armed squads, have surrendered or otherwise come out of underground activity and sought to return to mainstream social life in the States of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Telangana. The respective governments have facilitated and accepted such surrenders and are pursuing policies of rehabilitation and reintegration. This development is significant because it demonstrates that even in dealing with a violent political conflict, the State can recognise the possibility of reconciliation and a return to peaceful social life.
Against this background, the continued incarceration of persons alleged merely to have supported or sympathised with the Maoist movement warrants particular scrutiny.
We understand that a substantial number of such persons are presently lodged in prisons in Telangana, including some charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Allegations of association or sympathy, however, should not by themselves be treated as equivalent to criminal responsibility for specific acts of violence. A person’s political beliefs, associations or sympathies cannot, by itself, be equated with criminal responsibility for acts committed by others. Allegations of association must not substitute for proof of individual criminal responsibility based on evidence.
We understand that many of those facing such cases are poor and socially vulnerable persons, including a large number of Adivasis, with little access to legal or financial resources. Their continued incarceration is often compounded by their inability to secure competent legal representation, pursue appropriate bail applications or arrange sureties. In such circumstances, imprisonment can effectively become a consequence not of a judicial determination of guilt, but of poverty and the absence of social support.
This is particularly disturbing where undertrial prisoners have spent long periods in custody. As you are aware, pre-trial detention is not intended to become punishment before conviction. The Constitutional guarantee of personal liberty requires that each case be examined individually, with due regard to the period already spent in custody, the nature of the allegations, the evidence available and the possibility of a fair and reasonably expeditious trial.
There is also a serious humanitarian dimension. Families of persons arrested in connection with Maoist-related cases, particularly those from remote and impoverished areas, often lack the means to follow their cases or even to obtain timely information about their relatives. Prolonged incarceration under such circumstances can inflict severe hardship not only upon the prisoner but upon entire families.
We therefore respectfully urge your Government to consider the following measures:
- Undertake a comprehensive case-by-case review of all persons presently imprisoned in Telangana in Maoist-related cases, particularly those who have been in custody for prolonged periods.
- Identify undertrial prisoners who have spent substantial periods in custody and ensure that their cases are brought to the attention of the appropriate courts for consideration of bail and other remedies available under law.
- Ensure effective and competent legal aid for prisoners who are unable to afford legal representation, including assistance in filing bail applications and pursuing their cases.
- Examine cases involving allegations of political sympathy, association or provision of food, shelter or other assistance and ensure that criminal liability is assessed strictly on the basis of individual acts and evidence establishing the specific offence alleged, rather than presumed association. Such circumstances, by themselves, should not be treated as establishing membership of a banned organisation or criminal responsibility for acts of violence committed by others.
- Consider appropriate lawful relief, including withdrawal of prosecution where legally permissible in cases where the evidence does not justify prosecution and appropriate relief from continued incarceration where the circumstances so warrant, in consultation with the competent legal authorities.
- Ensure that the families of such prisoners are able to obtain timely information about their cases and access to appropriate legal and welfare assistance.
- The HRF is not asking for the abandonment of due process or for immunity from prosecution for acts of violence. We are asking that criminal responsibility be individualised and established on the basis of evidence; that prolonged pre-trial incarceration not become punishment and that poverty or political association not determine a person’s access to justice.
The Government’s recent initiatives concerning the release of prisoners, together with its willingness to facilitate the return and rehabilitation of persons coming out of underground Maoist activity, provide an important basis for extending the same humane approach to those who remain imprisoned.
We believe that justice must protect society from violence and uphold the law. But justice must also preserve human dignity, recognise the possibility of rehabilitation and leave open a path towards reconciliation and peaceful reintegration.
We therefore earnestly appeal to you to kindly direct the concerned authorities to undertake a comprehensive and humane review of these cases. Such an initiative would be a significant affirmation of the Telangana government’s commitment to Constitutional values, human rights and the rule of law.
We hope that you will consider this appeal favourably and initiate appropriate action at the earliest.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. S. Thirupathaiah – HRF Telangana State General Secretary
V. Vasanthalakshmi – HRF TG & AP Coordination Committee Member
S. Jeevan Kumar – HRF TG & AP Coordination Committee Member
Sanjeev – HRF City Unit Secretary
Copy:
1. Principal Secretary, Home Dept., Govt. of Telangana
2. Director General of Police, Govt. of Telangana