Hyderabad police arrest 4 teenagers for moral policing of interfaith couple near Charminar

South First asked the cops whether the couple had belonged to different faiths, but they did not respond.

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The incident

Charminar police registered an FIR following a video clip that went viral on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and WhatsApp.

According to FIR, accessed by South First, Charminar Police Station’s Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Mohd Khaleel — during routine patrolling on 26 March — became aware of a viral video circulating on social media platforms.

The clip showed a couple being intercepted at a marketplace near Charminar. The woman was questioned about her association with the man and the identity of the child with them.

The woman was seen wearing a burqa, while their infant child was covered in Holi colours.

Subsequently, the clips showed individuals from a group proceeding to physically assault the man as the child began to cry.

The attackers targeted the family after seemingly identifying the man as Hindu based on their appearance and family dynamics.

Also Read: Over 22,000 cases of crime against women reported in Telangana in 2022

The case

Recognising the potential repercussions of such a video, the PSI initiated an inquiry into the matter. It was determined that a person named Ali and his associates were involved in the assault.

Hence, a case was registered under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (offences against public tranquillity and peace), and 295A (deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings) read with 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

The cops said they recovered two mobile phones from the accused, which contained the viral video clipping.

(Edited by Arkadev Ghoshal)