Police registered the case under Section 295(A) of the IPC against Madhavi Latha and launched a probe into the incident.
Madhavi Latha pointing an imaginary arrow towards mosque. (Screengrab)
The Begum Bazaar police have booked the BJP’s Hyderabad Parliament constituency candidate, Madhavi Latha, for gesturing the shooting of an arrow at a mosque in Siddi Amber Bazaar area during the Sri Rama Navami Shobha yatra.
Shaik Imran, 38, who complained to police against Latha, alleged she also made derogatory remarks against Muslims after being nominated as the candidate.
Latha takes on sitting MP Asaduddin Owaisi, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) president, in the 13 May polls to the Lok Sabha.
During the Ram Navami yatra on 17 April, Latha made the gesture of drawing an arrow from an imaginary quiver and shooting it at the mosque.
“She expressed great joy after her heinous conduct. Her irresponsible action has hurt the Muslim sentiments, causing pain and anguish to the entire community,” Imran complained.
Debutant Hyderabad BJP candidate Madhavi Latha and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi (Facebook)
He urged authorities to prosecute her under relevant sections of the IPC, CrPC, and Model Code of Conduct, as a deterrent to others seeking to disrupt the city’s peace and harmony.
Acting on the complaint, the police registered the case under Section 295(A) (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the IPC and launched a probe.
On 18 April, Latha apologised after a video of her act had gone viral on social media.
“It has come to my notice that a video of mine is being circulated in the media to create negativity,” she said on X.
She claimed the circulated video was incomplete. “If anyone’s sentiments are hurt then I would like to apologise as I respect all individuals,” she added.
Despite her apology, the video was being further circulated. Owaisi said those shooting arrows at mosques should be considered as candidates.
Meanwhile, Latha reiterated that she had no intention to hurt anyone.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
