Sheikh Farah was travelling with her mother from Siddipet to Jagtial when the sub-inspector allegedly assaulted her.
22-year-old PhD scholar Sheikh Farah was assaulted by Jagtial rural police SI A Anil. (Creative Commons)
An argument over a seat between two women in a TSRTC bus in Jagtial district on Wednesday, 9 May, rapidly escalated — and ended with one of the women being assaulted and abused by the husband of the other, a sub-inspector (SI) with Telangana poloice.
The victim, 22-year-old PhD scholar Sheikh Farah — a native of Bejjanki village in Telangana’s Siddipet district — was travelling with her mother from her home to Jagtial when the incident took place.
Later, the video of the incident inside the bus and Farah accusing the SI of misbehaviour, abuse and assault went viral on social media.
In the video, Farah said the SI’s wife came and sat next to her and her mother and soon began abusing and hurling religious slurs at them.
“Even though there were enough empty seats in the bus, she came and sat next to us. After some time, she asked us to move. When we told her there is enough space, she started abusing us and Muslims in general,” Farah said.
She added that, as the argument escalated, the woman showed “muscle power” and called her SI husband.
Farah added that the bus was then chased by SI A Anil (in civil clothes) and another constable.
“As soon as the bus reached Jagtial depot, the cops entered and started questioning me about the incident. I started recording it, and that is when he (Anil) began assaulting me. He snatched my phone, dragged me outside by pulling my hair, slapped me, and hit me with his shoes,” Farah explained, her eyes welling up.
She alleged that no one came to their rescue and people were mute spectators as the SI assaulted her.
“I told the SI that his wife told other people to not sit with Muslims. I also asked him the purpose of coming here,” Farah said.
.@TelanganaCMO Sir, very sad incident happened where one Anil (SI), Rural PS, Jagtial found misbehaving, attacking & outraging modesty of women and using un-parliamentary language against muslims./1@KTRBRS @mahmoodalibrs @TelanganaDGP @Collector_JGTL @SpJagtial @RaoKavitha pic.twitter.com/9ExmZkC5Tc
— Amjed Ullah Khan MBT (@amjedmbt) May 10, 2023
A police officer in the Jagtial police station told South First that the district Superintendent of Police (SP) Aggadi Bhaskar has initiated disciplinary action and ordered a departmental inquiry against Anil.
A case was also registered a case against SI Anil under IPC Sections 290 (public nuisance), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 341 (wrongful restraint).
Later, SP Bhaskar issued a memo to the SI and asked his to report to the Jagtial District Headquarters with immediate effect on disciplinary grounds till the completion of the enquiry.
Case is registered regarding yesterday’s quarrel in RTC bus .
Disciplinary action has been taken against SI of Jagtial Rural police station . He is transferred and attached to AR HQs .— SP JAGTIAL (@SpJagtial) May 10, 2023
Taking note of the incident, the Telangana State Minorities Commission (TSMC) issued a notice to the Jagtial SP.
It asked the police to submit a report immediately about the case of assault on the Muslim woman Sheikh Farah.
On 6 May, BRS leader Tareq Ansari had taken charge as the chairperson of the TSMC, which looks into cases pertaining to deprivation of rights and safeguards for those belonging to minority communities — Budhhists, Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Jains and Parsis.
Demanding stern action, the AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi spoke to Jagitail SP.
Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) leader Amjed Uullah Khan wrote a letter to Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, and demanded the immediate arrest SI Anil and his wife.
“He (Anil) should be dismissed from service immediately pending inquiry,” read the letter written by Khan.
Meanwhile, state Congress General Secretary Uzma Shakir met the Jagtial SP and sought the suspension of the SI and the constable accompanying him.
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