Actor Mohan Babu has issued an apology to the video journalist he allegedly assaulted during a confrontation outside his Hyderabad residence on Tuesday. The actor explained that he was trying to defend himself from “anti-social elements” when the media unintentionally became involved in the incident. (Also Read: Lakshmi Manchu posts cryptic notes amid feud between dad Mohan Babu, brother Manchu Manoj)
Mohan Babu’s Statement
On Friday morning, Mohan Babu posted a formal apology on his X handle, addressing the media organization to which the journalist belongs. He described the incident as “unfortunate” and expressed “deep regret,” stating, “It pains me deeply that what started as a personal family dispute spiraled into a larger situation.” He also mentioned that he had been hospitalized for the past 48 hours due to health issues, which delayed his apology.
Mohan Babu further explained that the altercation occurred when 30-50 people, including “anti-social elements,” entered his home. In the chaos, he lost his composure, inadvertently injuring the journalist “in the heat of the moment.” He expressed remorse for the incident, apologizing to the journalist, his family, and the media organization, and wished the journalist a speedy recovery.
The Incident on Tuesday
Police revealed that an attempt to murder charge was added to the case filed against Mohan Babu for allegedly attacking the journalist. Initially, a case under Section 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt using dangerous weapons or substances) of the BNS was registered at the Pahadishareef police station. However, following a detailed statement from the journalist, it was amended to Section 109 (attempt to murder) of the BNS, a senior police official confirmed.
The journalist, in his complaint, alleged that he had gone to Mohan Babu’s Jalpally residence on December 10 to cover a family dispute between the actor and his younger son, Manoj Manchu. He claimed that Mohan Babu aggressively confronted him and other journalists, seized his microphone, used “abusive and foul language,” and struck him with the microphone, causing a head injury.
