An argument over a TSRTC bus seat between two women 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.The husband is a sub-inspector (SI) with Jagityal police.
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.
Dispute over seat turns into assault
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 a car driven 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.
Police authorities have initiated inquiry against SI Anil.Taking note of the incident, the Telangana State Minorities Commission (TSMC) issued a notice to the Jagtial SP.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.
