Hyderabad: The City on Monday said that they have registered 227 cases against slain naxal-turned-gangster Mohammed Nayeemuddin and members of his gang and have arrested 128 accused during investigation. The Police have filed chargesheets in nine cases.

While five police officers were suspended for allegedly having links with Nayeemuddin, a departmental inquiry was ordered against 20 police officers. "So far, 227 cases were registered against Nayeem and his gang members in Telangana state. During investigation of the cases against Nayeem gang, the SIT arrested 128 accused. Further, SIT has examined 895 witnesses in different cases," a release from the DGP office said.

Nayeemuddin alias Nayeem alias Balanna (45), wanted in a number of cases including the murder of an IPS officer, was killed in an exchange of fire with police in Shadnagar town in Mahabubnagar district on August 8 last year. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) took up investigation into various criminal activities of Nayeemuddin and his associates in Telangana. It also probed the sources of the seized material like land documents, arms and ammunition, explosives, and related matters.

While chargesheets have been filed in nine cases, police have completed their investigation in 22 cases and are expected to file the chargesheets soon. "In remaining cases, the investigation is at final stage," the release said. As many as 14 key gangsters of the Nayeem gang were detained under preventive detention, police added.

"In May this year, Telangana DGP Anurag Sharma suspended five officers, including an additional superintendent of police, two deputy superintendents and two inspectors posted in different parts of the state, for their alleged involvement with Nayeem and his associates," Inspector General of Police (North Zone) and SIT chief Y Nagi Reddy said.

The officer said a departmental inquiry has been ordered with the issuance of major Punishment Roles (PRs) against four police officers while minor PRs were issued against 16 police officers for their alleged association with the slain gangster and his associates.

"Remaining cases are under investigation and investigation will be completed soon," the SIT chief said.

Nayeem had formed a criminal gang and allegedly indulged in land grabbings, extortion, kidnappings, etc, many of which were not reported to police due to fear of reprisal.

PTI