Hyderabad: A late-night undercover operation in Hyderabad has exposed the disturbing reality many women continue to face on city streets after dark. In a shocking incident, a senior woman police officer was allegedly approached by nearly 40 men and subjected to harassment and inappropriate remarks during a 3-hour patrol walk conducted in plain clothes. The operation, carried out to assess women’s safety on the streets, has now triggered widespread discussion online after details of the patrol emerged. According to reports, the late-night field operation was led by B Sumathi, Hyderabad’s first woman police commissioner in Greater Hyderabad.
Senior Woman Officer Goes Undercover
Dressed as an ordinary civilian, she reportedly walked through several public areas between around 12:30 am and 3:30 am to understand the challenges women face at night.
Furthermore, during the patrol, multiple men allegedly approached her, passed lewd comments and attempted to engage her despite her visible discomfort. The operation reportedly led to several roadside harassers being identified and detained.
Operation Exposes Safety Concerns
Police sources said the exercise was aimed at testing the effectiveness of policing and understanding how unsafe certain stretches of the city become for women after midnight.
Officials reportedly found that many men roaming the streets targeted lone women, especially in dimly lit or less crowded areas. The findings from the patrol are expected to be used to strengthen surveillance, patrolling and women’s safety measures across Hyderabad.
In a bold under cover operation by, newly appointed #Malkajgiri CP (@MalkajgiriCop) Sumathi, IPS (@SumathiIPS), waited alone at a bus stand in #Dilsukhnagar at midnight on the same day after taking charge as CP, she disguised herself as an ordinary woman to… pic.twitter.com/csaCtOWzVx
— Surya Reddy (@jsuryareddy) May 6, 2026
Will you come? How much is the price? Harassment of IPS officer Sumati#Hyderabad: In a daring #undercoveroperation, @MalkajgiriCop CP @SumathiIPS disguised herself as an ordinary woman and waited alone at a bus stand in Dilsukhnagar past midnight to experience first hand
1/3 pic.twitter.com/DsO1pDpcjc— Siraj Noorani (@sirajnoorani) May 6, 2026
The incident has once again highlighted concerns around harassment in public spaces, even in major metropolitan cities.
Social Media Reacts Strongly
The news quickly went viral online, with many users expressing anger and concern over the behaviour faced by the officer despite her being part of law enforcement.
Several social media users praised the undercover operation, saying it revealed the “ground reality” women deal with regularly. Others demanded stricter punishment for harassment and increased night patrolling in vulnerable areas.
Many also appreciated the officer’s decision to personally experience the situation instead of relying only on reports from field teams. Telangana Police, particularly through initiatives like SHE Teams, has previously conducted undercover operations to crack down on harassment and stalking in public spaces.
Officials are now expected to review the findings of the patrol and identify areas where security arrangements and police visibility need to be increased.
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