Date: 2026-05-20Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
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
**Summary of NHRC Action on the Arrest of Environmental Activists in Hyderabad**
**Overview**
On May 20, 2026, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, took *suo motu* cognizance of reports concerning the arbitrary arrest and detention of five environmental activists in Hyderabad, Telangana. The activists were protesting the felling of trees near the Kasu Brahmananda Reddy (KBR) National Park.
**Incident Details**
The reported incident occurred on May 13, 2026. According to media reports, one volunteer was initially detained by police following the protest. Four additional activists were subsequently detained after visiting the police station to inquire about the first individual. The group was held for several hours and an FIR was filed against them under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including:
* Wrongful restraint
* Aggravated mischief causing damage to property
* Criminal intimidation
The activists were eventually released on bail.
**Commission Action and Observations**
The NHRC observed that the allegations, if true, indicate a serious violation of human rights. Consequently, the Commission has issued formal notices to the following authorities:
* **Director General of Police (DGP), Telangana**
* **District Magistrate (DM), Hyderabad**
Both officials are required to submit a detailed report regarding the matter within a period of **two weeks**.
**Reference Data**
* **Release ID:** 2263437
* **Date Posted:** May 20, 2026, 8:22 PM
* **Issuing Authority:** PIB Delhi / NHRC
* **Visitor Counter:** 136
Key Entities Referenced
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): The statutory authority that took suo motu cognizance of the reported arbitrary arrest and detention of environmental activists to investigate potential human rights violations.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita: The criminal code under which the activists were charged with offenses related to wrongful restraint, aggravated mischief, and criminal intimidation.
Kasu Brahmananda Reddy (KBR) National Park, Hyderabad, Telangana: The central location where environmental protests against tree-felling occurred, leading to the legal dispute and police intervention.
National Human Rights Commission
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
Posted On: 20 MAY 2026 8:22PM by PIB Delhi
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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NSK
(Release ID: 2263437) Visitor Counter : 136