Mohammed Siraj meets Telangana DGP C.V. Anand in first visit since October 2024 appointment
Synopsis
Star pacer Mohammed Siraj's courtesy call on Telangana DGP C.V. Anand is more than a protocol visit — it is a reminder of how India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph translated into a rare government job and land allotment for a cricketer, and how Siraj now straddles two demanding careers simultaneously.
Key Takeaways
Mohammed Siraj paid a courtesy call on Telangana DGP C.V.
Anand in Hyderabad on 20 July .
This was Siraj's first meeting with Anand since the DGP took charge in May .
Siraj was formally appointed DSP in October 2024 , following a cabinet resolution in August 2024 after India's ICC T20 World Cup 2024 win.
The state government also allotted Siraj 600 square yards of land at Road Number 78, Jubilee Hills .
DGP Anand separately reviewed welfare schemes, noting ₹181.74 crore spent on the Arogya Bhadratha health scheme in 2025, benefiting 33,126 personnel and family members.
Indian cricketer and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mohammed Siraj paid a courtesy call on Telangana Director General of Police C.V. Anand at the DGP Office in Hyderabad on Monday, 20 July. This was Siraj's first meeting with Anand since the latter assumed charge as DGP in May, and marks a notable moment in Siraj's dual identity as both a national cricket star and a serving police officer.
Background: How Siraj Joined the Force
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had announced a government job and a house site for Siraj following India's ICC T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. In August 2024, the state cabinet resolved to offer Group-1 posts of DSP cadre to Siraj and champion boxer Nikhat Zareen. To facilitate these appointments, the state government amended the Telangana (Regulation of Appointments to Public Services and Rationalisation of Staff Pattern and Pay Structure) Act, 1994. Siraj formally took over as DSP in October 2024.
The government also allotted 600 square yards of land to Siraj at Road Number 78, Jubilee Hills, as part of the package announced after the World Cup victory.
Who Was Present at the Meeting
Inspector General (P&I) Gajarao Bhupal and DSP (Sports) Ramarao were also present during the meeting at the DGP Office. The visit was a courtesy call, consistent with protocol for newly inducted officers acknowledging senior leadership.
DGP Reviews Police Welfare Initiatives
Separately, DGP C.V. Anand on the same day reviewed the functioning of the Police Welfare Society and Arogya Bhadratha (Health Protection) wings at the DGP Office. Anand reaffirmed that the welfare of police personnel and their families remains among the highest priorities of the Telangana Police.
The DGP noted that the department supports meritorious children of police personnel through Merit Scholarships and Meritorious Scholarships, and extends financial assistance to students preparing for JEE, NEET, and other competitive examinations.
Health Scheme Numbers
Reviewing the Arogya Bhadratha Health Protection Scheme, Anand noted that 33,126 police personnel and family members availed treatment under the scheme during 2025, while 12,392 beneficiaries received treatment up to June 2026. Expenditure stood at ₹181.74 crore in 2025 and ₹73.61 crore up to June 2026. The DGP also highlighted welfare support through marriage loans, medical loans, education loans, and additional corpus insurance schemes.
Siraj's visit to the DGP Office underscores the Telangana government's continued recognition of sporting excellence through public service appointments — a model other states may watch closely.
Point of View
But the dual-career model it represents remains largely unexamined. A serving DSP who also plays international cricket for India is an administrative anomaly — the demands of both roles are full-time by any measure. Telangana's amendment of a 1994 staffing law to accommodate Siraj and Nikhat Zareen sets a precedent other states will likely follow, raising the question of whether such appointments are genuine integration of sports into public service or symbolic gestures that carry little operational weight. The answer matters for the hundreds of rank-and-file athletes who seek government recognition without the same headline value.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Mohammed Siraj visit the Telangana DGP office?
Siraj paid a courtesy call on Telangana DGP C.V. Anand on 20 July — his first meeting with Anand since the latter took charge in May. As a serving DSP, such protocol visits to senior leadership are standard practice.
When did Mohammed Siraj become a DSP in Telangana?
Siraj formally took over as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in October 2024. The Telangana cabinet had resolved to offer him the Group-1 DSP cadre post in August 2024, following India's ICC T20 World Cup 2024 victory.
What benefits did Telangana give Mohammed Siraj after the T20 World Cup?
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced a government job and a house site for Siraj after India won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The state allotted him 600 square yards of land at Road Number 78, Jubilee Hills, and appointed him to a DSP cadre post.
Who else was appointed DSP alongside Mohammed Siraj?
Champion boxer Nikhat Zareen was also offered a Group-1 DSP cadre post alongside Siraj, as per the August 2024 cabinet resolution. The state amended the Telangana staffing Act of 1994 to facilitate both appointments.
What is the Arogya Bhadratha scheme reviewed by Telangana DGP?
Arogya Bhadratha is Telangana Police's Health Protection Scheme for personnel and their families. In 2025, it benefited 33,126 members at a cost of ₹181.74 crore; up to June 2026, a further 12,392 beneficiaries received treatment at a cost of ₹73.61 crore.
