Case filed against actor Mohan Babu for alleged attack on reporter

Hyderabad: A case has been registered against veteran actor Mohan Babu for allegedly assaulting a reporter from a prominent news channel during coverage of an ongoing family dispute at his residence in Manchu Town, Jalpally village, on the night of December 10, 2024.

The reporter filed the complaint at 11:50 p.m. on December 10, 2024. According to the complainant, the reporter visited actor Mohan Babu’s residence around 7:50 p.m. to cover the ongoing dispute between Mohan Babu and his son, actor Manchu Manoj.

At approximately 8:05 p.m., actor Manchu Manoj invited the reporter and other journalists inside his house to show them the situation. However, while the journalists were performing their duties, actor Mohan Babu confronted them aggressively. He allegedly grabbed the reporter’s microphone and cell phone, used foul language, and physically assaulted the reporter with the microphone, which had a steel pipe and a metal logo.

The assault caused a severe head injury to the reporter, resulting in significant bleeding. In the complaint, the reporter requested that appropriate action be taken against Mohan Babu for the unprovoked attack, leading to the registration of an FIR under Cr. No: 645/2024, U/s 118 (1) BNS. The investigation has been entrusted to Sub-Inspector V. Laxmaiah.

Meanwhile, Mohan Babu was hospitalised following the incident, which also involved other reporters.

Several media organisations, including the Working Journalists of India, the Telangana Union of Working Journalists Association, and the Telangana Working Journalists Federation, have condemned the assault.

In a statement, the Telangana Union of Working Journalists Association (TUWJ) expressed its strong disapproval of the assault on two reporters. The association stated, "It is unjustifiable for Mohan Babu to resort to physical violence while journalists were simply covering the issue. Such behaviour is unacceptable, and he should refrain from showing aggression towards the media."

Mohan Babu, a renowned actor with decades of experience in the film industry, has been involved in a public dispute with his son, Manchu Manoj, who has taken a break from acting. The ongoing family conflict has attracted significant media attention.

#Hyderabad: Veteran actor Mohan Babu has been booked after he allegedly attacked media persons on Tuesday night. The senior actor assaulted the video journalists while they were covering the arrival of his younger son Manchu Manoj who attempted to enter his Jalpally residence.… pic.twitter.com/q2gvED12UL

— Hyderabad Mail (@Hyderabad_Mail) December 11, 2024