Following the incident, the Telangana State Video Journalists Association also issued a statement condemning the attack.
Published Dec 11, 2024 | 10:31 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 11, 2024 | 10:31 AM
Actor Mohan Babu attacks TV reporter. (Screengrab)
An FIR has been registered against Telugu actor Mohan Babu for assaulting a reporter at the former’s residence at Jalpally on the outskirts of Hyderabad on Tuesday, 10 December. The case has been booked under Section 118 (1)of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
The alleged assault occurred when the media reached the actor’s residence to report on his ongoing family feud. According to the video of the incident, the TV9 reporter was questioning the actor regarding the same when the latter snatched the mike from the reporter and hit him on his head.
The actor’s aides later allegedly chased the media out resorting to using physical force.
#Telangana: Amidst the ongoing controversy in the #Manchu family where father-son actor duo Mohan Babu and Manoj are accusing each other of assaulting the other, veteran actor Mohan Babu was caught on video grabbing the mic and hitting media personnel who were reporting on the… pic.twitter.com/ZxeqUxsfoG
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) December 10, 2024
According to the FIR, accessed by South First, reporter Ranjith Kumar’s complaint read, “On 10 December 2024, at about 19.50 hours, the complainant visited the residence of actor Manchu Mohan Babu as part of his coverage of the ongoing dispute between the actor and his son, actor Manchu Manoj. During the visit, actor Manchu Manoj invited the complainant and other journalists inside the house at 20.05 hours to show them the ongoing situation.”
The complaint further read, “While they were performing their journalistic duties, actor Manchu Mohan Babu confronted them aggressively. He intentionally grabbed the microphone and cell phone from the complainant’s hand, used abusive language, and physically attacked him with the microphone. As a result of the forceful assault, the complainant sustained a severe head injury that caused significant bleeding.”
According to The Hindu report, Mohan Babu has been served notice to appear before the Rachakonda Commissioner of Police in person at 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 11 December, to address concerns regarding a potential breach of peace under Section 126 BNSS.
Following the incident, the Telangana State Video Journalists Association also issued a statement condemning the attack.
The ongoing rift between Mohan Babu and his younger son, also actor, Manchu Manoj has escalated with both parties filing cases against one another. The father-son duo are accusing each other of physical assault following disputes regarding property sharing.
On Tuesday, Manchu Manoj tried to enter the residence but was denied entry. Despite pleading with the security that his daughter was inside, he wasn’t allowed in. The actor soon forced his way into the residence, opening the gates along with his aides.
The family feud came to light on 9 December when Manchu Manoj was seen going to a hospital in bandages. Subsequently, news of the alleged assault came out, with both parties having filed complaints at the Pahadi Shareef Police Station under the Rachakonda Commissionerate.
On the same day, Manchu Manoj also released a press statement appealing to the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for justice.
Stating that the allegations against him were false, he accused his brothers Manchu Vishnu and Mohan Babu of conspiring against him.
My humble request to serve justice through a transparent and righteous investigation.@ncbn Garu @naralokesh Garu @PawanKalyan Garu @Anitha_TDP Garu @revanth_anumula Garu @Bhatti_Mallu Garu @TelanganaCMO @TelanganaDGP Garu 🙏🏼 https://t.co/M3xbNALZje pic.twitter.com/BBokLPLNEP
— Manoj Manchu🙏🏻❤️ (@HeroManoj1) December 9, 2024
He was responding to Mohan Babu’s open letter to the Rachakonda Commissioner accusing Manoj of trying to take possession of the family residence by force.
As per Mohan Babu’s police complaint, Manoj Manchu along with “some anti-social elements employed by him caused a disturbance on Sunday at his house ‘Manchu Town’ in Jalpally in Rangareddy district.”
“I fear for my safety, my valuables, and my property. I have been informed that these individuals are waiting for me to return to my house with the intent to harm me and instil fear, compelling me to abandon my residence permanently. All those individuals are anti-social elements and are causing fear and threat to life to those who are at my home, including me,” the actor said in the police complaint.
However, this is not the first time such a feud has come to the public view. In March, Manchu Manoj posted a video on Facebook in which he alleged that Vishnu had barged into his house and assaulted two of Manoj’s close aides. Although Manoj did not specify the reason for the dispute, he claimed that Vishnu often behaved in this manner.
In the video, Manoj was heard saying, “This is how he came to the house and beat our men. This is the situation.” He later deleted the video.
In response, Vishnu dismissed the issue with a tweet, saying, “This is just the beginning…#HOM #HouseOfManchus.” While some speculated that this could lead to a reality show, both Manoj and Manchu Lakshmi denied these claims.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Sumit Jha and Saicharan Sana)
