Fact Check: Hyderbad police did not issue orders on closure of shops by 11 pm

An image is in circulation on social media featuring a photograph of the CM of Telangana, Revanth Reddy, and the logo of the Telangana State police. The image, along with a few points, mentioned that “Shops should close by 10:30 or 11:00 PM.”

Users shared the graphic with various claims.

PR News uploaded the image on their YouTube channel.

The viral image looks like a screenshot which was shared by INC Telangana. A journalist, Naseer Giyas, shared the image questioning why this type of statement was not released through official government channels.

Another user questioned: Dear @hydcitypolice can you please confirm is it true or fake? It’s creating confusion in public of #Hyderabad @HiHyderabad

Earlier, a video was in circulation on social media where a patrolling vehicle warned citizens not to roam on the roads after 11 PM, issued by the Hyderabad Police.

Reacting to the video on June 24, 2024, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi tagged the Telangana DGP and the Commissioner of Police, stating that shops should be allowed to remain open until at least midnight. He noted that big metros across the country allow shops to stay open at night.

In his post, he also mentioned, "Announcements are being made by the police in Jubilee Hills. Whether they are Irani chai hotels, pan shops, or commercial establishments, they should be allowed to remain open until at least 12 AM. There should be a uniform policy across the board. Big metros across the country allow shops to be open at night. There’s already an economic downturn. Why is it different in Hyderabad?"

It was also covered by The Press Free journal with the Title “‘No Friendly Police, Lathicharge Police': Hyderabad Cops Ask Shops To Shut By 11 PM; 'Allow It Till 12 AM', Says Owaisi”.

Fact Check : We found the claim is False. There is no such official order by Hyderabad City police to close the shops by 10:30 or 11 PM.

When we searched for the notice or any relevant post on CMO Telangana's social media, we didn't find anything related to it. There is also no such post on the social media accounts of the CM of Telangana, Revanth Reddy nor on the INC Telangana.

On June 24, 2024, the Hyderabad City police posted on their official X account: "The recent social media news suggesting that city police are insisting on closure of shops by 10:30 or 11 PM is entirely misleading. Shops and establishments will be open/close as per the already existing rules only. Hence, the same may be noted by all."

On June 25, 2024, siasat.com published an article stating “The Hyderabad police clarified on Monday that the recent social media news making rounds that city police are insisting on closure of shops by 10.30 or 11 p.m. is totally misleading. Earlier, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi demanded that the shops be allowed to remain open until at least 12 midnight”.

We also found an article published by Hyderabad Mail stating: "Police have asked the shops not to operate beyond permitted timings," according to Deputy Commissioner of Police, South Zone, Sneha Mehra IPS.

However, there is no mention of an official order to close shops by 10:30 or 11 PM.

As per Revel Inside “The Hyderabad police have clarified that recent social media claims about shops closing by 10:30 or 11 p.m. are misleading. According to the police, shops and establishments will continue to follow the existing rules for opening and closing times.”

Hence, we found the claim is False. The viral image is a fabricated one. There is no official order from the Telangana police to close shops by 10:30 or 11 PM.