Amid recent discussions about “suspect sheets” being opened for individuals committing offenses on social media, Telangana police have clarified that this practice is not new. It has been an active policy since the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was introduced last year, and is also supported by the Telangana State Police Manual. Officials emphasized that a recent memo was an internal reminder to cybercrime units, urging them to continue maintaining these suspect sheets.
Hyderabad Cybercrime DCP Dara Kavitha stated that this is a routine procedure aimed at maintaining constant vigilance. She elaborated, “The system of opening suspect sheets has been in place for a year now. The latest directive simply serves as a reminder to all cybercrime police stations to ensure that suspect sheets are consistently opened for cyber offenders, covering both financial and non-financial crimes.”
An official from the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) further noted that police departments throughout the state are actively working to identify individuals who should be added to these suspect sheets.
Data provided by the TGCSB reveals that 79 suspect sheets have been initiated across Telangana since December 2024. While recommendations were made for 95 offenders, 16 cases are still awaiting action at various police stations. Significantly, only one of the currently active suspect sheets targets a social media offender, specifically handled by the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police Station (CCPS).
As of now, Mekala Rohan is the sole social media offender on a suspect sheet. He faced charges in 2024 under the IT Act and various sections of the BNS for crimes including identity theft, cheating, stalking, extortion, intimidation, and distributing obscene material. In 2025, Madhapur police again booked him for extortion, intimidation, and trespass.
When is a Suspect Sheet Initiated?
Officials clarified that a suspect sheet is typically opened when an individual is implicated in more than two cases. Section 111 of the BNS grants police the authority to categorize certain cybercrimes as organized criminal activity, which allows repeat offenders to be treated as members of criminal syndicates. Furthermore, the Telangana Police Manual specifically outlines provisions for monitoring habitual offenders, including those involved in cyber abuse, by initiating and maintaining these suspect sheets.