Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 20th May 2026

NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported arbitrary arrest of five environmental activists protesting against the tree-felling near the KBR National Park in Hyderabad, Telangana

Issues notices to the Telangana DGP and Hyderabad DM, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that five environmental activists, protesting against the tree-felling around the Kasu Brahmananda Reddy (KBR) National Park in Hyderabad, Telangana, were arbitrarily arrested and detained for several hours at the police station on 13th May 2026. Reportedly, an FIR was filed against them under various sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita before being released on bail. The sections deal with wrongful restraint, aggravated mischief causing damage to property and criminal intimidation.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Director General of Police, Telangana and the District Magistrate, Hyderabad, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.

According to the media report, carried on 13th May 2026, one of the volunteers was detained by the police after the protest and four other activists, who had gone to the police station to enquire about him, were also detained subsequently.

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