Security firm’s licence cancelled after 5-yr-old’s murder in Kowkoor

Hyderabad: The Telangana government has cancelled the licence of Defensor Security Services and has asked the agency to cease all security operations after a guard deployed by them was arrested for the murder of a five-year-old girl in Kowkoor.

The agency’s licence was cancelled on account of serious violations of the provisions of the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005, and the Telangana Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Rules, 2022, including deployment of security guards without proper police verification and mandatory training, inadequate supervision, and failure to furnish a satisfactory explanation in response to a show-cause notice.

Kowkoor murder

Security guard Vikram Kumar allegedly kidnapped the five-year-old from the premises of a gated community called Villa Orchids on October 10, when the child had gone to watch Bathukamma festival celebrations at the clubhouse.

He allegedly demanded a ransom of Rs 20 lakh from the family but killed the girl and dumped the body in a water sump after he realised that it would be difficult to keep her captive till the ransom was paid.

Vikram’s employment at Villa Orchids had ended just four days before the kidnapping. He allegedly admitted to the police that he wanted to become wealthy quickly and did not want to work as a labourer anymore.

Advisory to private security agencies

All private security agencies operating in Telangana have been asked to operate only under a valid licence and strictly within the geographical area authorised under the licence.

They must ensure character verification of every security guard and supervisor before deployment and deploy only trained, physically fit personnel with a valid agency photo ID card.

The agencies must maintain registers of character and antecedents verification, training and medical fitness. They must also ensure supervision, duty rosters, site briefing and prompt reporting of serious incidents to the police.

Advisory for clients

All individuals, establishments, companies and organisations engaging private security agencies are asked to exercise due diligence and verify the PSA licence number, validity and authorised area before awarding the contract.

If in doubt, confirm with the PSARA Controlling Authority.

Clients must also obtain the deployment roster and the supervisor’s contact details and insist on documentary proof of police verification and training of every security guard/supervisor.

Photo ID cards of the deployed personnel must be approved against the roster. Same verification must be carried out for any replacement/relief personnel.

Clients of Defensor Security Services have been asked to immediately discontinue its services and engage a new agency.

Any suspected unlicensed operations or serious violations can be reported to the PSARA Controlling Authority or the nearest police station.

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