Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar on Friday, 9 October 2026, appealed to citizens — particularly youth and parents — to stop holding midnight birthday celebrations on Tank Bund and other public roads, following the death of a six-year-old girl and a family member during just such a celebration in the early hours of Monday. The commissioner issued the appeal via a video message, calling the tragedy a consequence of 'momentary recklessness and negligence.'

What Happened at Tank Bund

At around 2 am on Monday, a six-year-old child and a relative were killed in a road accident on Tank Bund during her birthday celebrations. According to Sajjanar, police personnel rushed to the site immediately and transported the injured to hospital, but could not prevent the deaths. The incident, he said, 'has deeply shaken everyone.'

Tank Bund, a popular lakeside promenade in Hyderabad, has reportedly seen a pattern of such midnight gatherings, despite existing prohibitions under Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) regulations. The GHMC had previously issued clear orders banning such celebrations at the site.

What the Police Commissioner Said

'Don't come onto the roads at midnight and put lives at risk. We appeal to the city's residents, especially the youth and parents, not to hold birthday celebrations or cake cuttings at midnight hours near Tank Bund, as well as the city's major roads, lakes, and parks,' Sajjanar said in his video message.

He emphasised that a birthday is a personal, family occasion that should be confined to homes or safe enclosed spaces. 'Since there's no pedestrian traffic on roads at midnight, vehicles speed by uncontrollably. Everyone must realise that bringing young children along and stepping onto the middle of the road at such times is utterly unwise,' he added.

Preventive Measures Taken

Following the accident, police conducted a physical inspection of the accident-prone stretch on Tank Bund in coordination with senior officials. A comprehensive inter-departmental review of accidents at the location was also carried out. Sajjanar noted that despite continuous police patrolling and dispersal of crowds, people repeatedly return at midnight, making tragedies difficult to prevent.

Appeal to the Public

'Don't lose precious lives to mistakes made just for fleeting moments of fun. We appeal that henceforth, no one should come to Tank Bund, lakes, or open areas at midnight hours to make merry,' the commissioner said. He reiterated that birthday celebrations on Tank Bund are completely prohibited under existing regulations, and the GHMC has issued orders to this effect in the past.

The warning comes as Hyderabad authorities look to enforce stricter compliance in the aftermath of the tragedy, with the hope that no such incident recurs.