Harish Rao Detained as Police Block His Visit to Sanathnagar TIMS

BRS MLA and former minister T. Harish Rao was placed under house arrest at his Kokapet residence on Wednesday after he set out to inspect the facilities at the newly inaugurated Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (TIMS) hospital in Sanathnagar. Police stopped him from leaving, citing the absence of permission for the visit.

The police action also extended to former ministers Sabita Indra Reddy and Talasani Srinivas Yadav, who were taken into preventive custody. The move triggered a political confrontation as BRS supporters gathered outside Harish Rao’s residence. LB Nagar MLA D. Sudheer Reddy also reached the spot after learning about the detention. With the gathering growing, police deployed additional personnel in the area to prevent any escalation.

The Sanathnagar TIMS facility was inaugurated by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on August 17. Harish Rao had earlier questioned the government’s decision to open the hospital, alleging that the facility was launched without adequate infrastructure and patient-care arrangements. He accused the Congress government of rushing the inauguration for publicity despite the hospital not being fully ready to provide services.

Following his detention, Harish Rao took to X to question the government’s decision to prevent him from visiting the hospital. He asked whether the authorities were concerned that an inspection could expose shortcomings in the facility. The BRS leader also criticised the use of house arrests and preventive detentions against opposition leaders raising issues concerning the public.

Harish Rao additionally shared a video of his interaction with a police officer, claiming that he was being stopped from leaving his residence even though he was heading to attend an auspicious function.

Meanwhile, the Health Department offered a different explanation for the restrictions at TIMS. An official statement from the office of Health Minister C. Damodar Rajanarsimha said the hospital had received thousands of visitors during the August 17 inauguration.

As a result, sterilisation work was being carried out in the wards and operation theatres to prepare the facility for regular medical services. The department said the process would be completed by August 20.

The government further clarified that inpatient services and surgeries are scheduled to begin from August 21, indicating that the hospital was undergoing final preparations following its formal inauguration.

The episode has since turned into a political flashpoint, with the BRS questioning the government over the hospital’s readiness and the Congress administration defending the restrictions as part of preparations to commence full-fledged medical services.