Tensions Brew in Banjara Hills: Police Shut Down Popular Café Amid KTR’s ACB Appearance
A sudden surge in police activity at Hyderabad’s upscale Banjara Hills on Monday sparked public outcry after Nilofer Café, a popular hangout on Road No. 12 near Telangana Bhavan, was abruptly shut down and patrons were forced to leave.
The dramatic move unfolded shortly after BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) arrived at the ACB office as part of an ongoing investigation into the controversial Formula E race case. With a significant number of BRS supporters, former ministers, and MLAs gathering near the premises, police tightened security around the area.
According to eyewitnesses, officers swiftly cleared Nilofer Café, citing concerns that the venue could become a potential meeting point for BRS cadres. Tea-drinkers and diners were reportedly pushed out, and the café was shut down temporarily without warning. Even members of the media, who had gathered to cover the developments, were escorted away from the scene.
Sources suggest that several BRS activists present near the café were detained as a precautionary measure. The incident led to tense moments, with arguments erupting between police and party workers outside the ACB office as they were blocked from entering the premises.
The aggressive police response has drawn criticism from some quarters, with opposition leaders calling it “an overreach” and questioning the need to forcibly evacuate civilians from a public café.
Authorities have yet to release an official statement explaining the decision to close the café and restrict media coverage. Meanwhile, the investigation into the Formula E case continues, with political temperatures running high in the city.
