Hyderabad, Jan. 27 -- The Telangana High Court has ruled that while police authorities are empowered to open rowdy sheets against habitual offenders to maintain public order, such power is not absolute and must strictly adhere to legal safeguards.

The court made it clear that rowdy sheets must be reviewed at least once every six months and cannot be continued indefinitely without justification.

Hyderabad man challenges rowdysheet

Justice N Tukaramji delivered the ruling while allowing a petition filed by Mohammed Khalid, a resident of Talabkatta in Hyderabad, who had challenged the continuation of a rowdy sheet opened against him in 2008.

The petitioner's counsel argued that despite there being no criminal cases currently pending agai...