Cyberabad Police Constable Accused of Communal Slur in Gachibowli Incident
A traffic constable with the Cyberabad Police is facing serious allegations of communal abuse following an incident in Gachibowli. The constable, identified as J Mallesham, is accused of hurling a communal slur at a Muslim woman and her teenage son during a dispute over a parked motorcycle. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, July 2, has drawn significant criticism after a video of the exchange circulated widely on social media platforms.
The alleged abuse took place outside a BP petrol station near the IKEA exit gate on the Gachibowli-Raidurg stretch. Mohammed Sameer, the husband and father of the alleged victims, filed a written complaint detailing the incident to the Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Cyberabad.
Key facts
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | Thursday, July 2 |
| Location | Gachibowli, near IKEA exit gate, opposite BP petrol station |
| Accused Officer | Traffic Constable J Mallesham |
| Allegation | Communal slur, threatening behaviour |
| Response Sought | Disciplinary action against the officer |
Parking Dispute Escalates
According to Sameer’s complaint, his wife and son had parked their motorcycle behind barricades on a section of road that was closed off, alongside several other bikes. Upon returning, they found the road still cordoned off and requested Constable Mallesham to move the barricades to retrieve their vehicle. Mallesham reportedly refused, stating the area was not for parking, and then allegedly began to verbally abuse the woman and her son, threatening them with physical violence.
During this heated exchange, the officer is accused of making the remark, “This is not Pakistan and Afghanistan to park as you like.” The complaint further states that the officer then used his personal mobile phone to record the family.
Video Footage and Public Reaction
The circulating video shows the argument escalating, with the officer recording the family. In the footage, the son can be heard asking, “If we are Muslim, will you call us Pakistanis? How can you harass us like that?” The officer maintained that rules were broken and that there must be consequences. He stated, “There are rules here. You need to follow. There needs to be punishment for not following the rules. You think you can park your bike wherever you want?”
The son countered by pointing out that the “no-parking” signage was on the main road and not visible from their parking spot, and that he had already apologised. The mother also alleged that the officer had disrespectfully instructed her son, who was wearing earphones, to “remove it from your ear” and asked, “Have you gone mad?” The officer later claimed he asked him to remove the earphones so he would listen. The video concludes with the son reminding the officer of his public servant duty and demanding to see his nameplate, to which the officer defiantly stated his name as “Malleshwaram.”
Calls for Disciplinary Action
The remarks have drawn sharp criticism from members of the community, who view such comments as indicative of a broader pattern of profiling Muslim citizens in Telangana. In his complaint, Mohammed Sameer questioned the officer’s oath of service and how such conduct aligns with the constitutional duty of a police officer to remain neutral and protect all citizens irrespective of religion. He has formally requested disciplinary action against Constable Mallesham to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As of now, the Cyberabad Traffic Police have not issued an official response regarding the incident, and it remains unclear what action, if any, has been taken against Constable Mallesham. This incident raises significant concerns about police conduct and the need for accountability within law enforcement agencies.
Source: The Siasat Daily – Hyderabad, https://www.siasat.com/this-is-not-pakistan-cyberabad-cop-accused-of-communal-slur-3500324/