Ayesha Afnan
A newly married Muslim couple was allegedly assaulted by a mob in Telangana’s Mahabubnagar district after a minor road accident late at night.
According to local accounts, the incident took place around 11 pm near SVS Hospital in Mahabubnagar when Mohammed Talha and his wife, Farhana Begum, were travelling from Shadnagar to Mahabubnagar. Their vehicle reportedly met with a minor accident involving a group of allegedly intoxicated youths near roadside barricades.
Witnesses claimed that the situation quickly escalated and that the couple was allegedly targeted because Farhana Begum was wearing a burqa.
Mob Allegedly Assaulted Couple
Eyewitnesses alleged that shortly after the accident, around 35 to 40 people from the nearby Ramdas Tanda area gathered at the spot and assaulted the couple.
Local Muslims rushed to help the victims and attempted to shield them from the attackers. However, residents claimed that before the couple could be taken to safety, a larger crowd of nearly 100 to 150 people gathered and launched another attack.
According to eyewitnesses, Farhana Begum was allegedly dragged towards the premises of SVS Hospital while being repeatedly assaulted. Residents said she suffered injuries to her ribs during the attack.
Mohammed Talha and his cousin also reportedly sustained serious head injuries. Locals alleged that the victims’ clothes were torn during the assault and that they were publicly humiliated.
Jewellery Allegedly Stolen During Chaos
Residents further alleged that Farhana Begum’s jewellery went missing during the violence and may have been stolen amid the chaos.
The injured were later taken for medical treatment. Their condition has not been officially disclosed.
Community Alleges Weak Charges
The incident has sparked anger among members of the local Muslim community, who have described the attack as a targeted communal assault and an act of mob violence.
Locals alleged that despite the seriousness of the incident, police registered the case under bailable sections. This has led to protests and demands for stronger charges against the accused.
Community members have called on authorities to conduct a fair and impartial investigation and ensure that all those involved are brought to justice.
They have also demanded that stringent legal provisions be invoked so that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
At the time of writing, police had not publicly responded to the allegations regarding the nature of the charges or the claims of communal targeting.
