Mob vandalises TV news channel’s office in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: A mob of alleged Bharat Rashtra Samithi Vidyarthi (BRSV) cadre vandalised the office of a vernacular news channel in Jubilee Hills on Saturday, protesting a telecast that linked some BRS leaders to a phone-tapping case.

The group gathered outside the channel’s office and began damaging vehicles parked there.

They hurled flower pots and stones at the windshield of several cars. The mob continued its rampage despite being aware that their actions were being recorded by the channel’s staff.

They then barged into the building to enter the studio. They vandalised the ground floor, which houses a portion of the channel’s office.

They smashed a wall-mounted TV near the door before attempting to reach the first floor, where the production unit operates. Fearing escalation, the channel staff shut an internal door to block access. However, the mob broke the glass pane on the door and repeatedly tried to force it open. Despite the staff appealing to the attackers to stop and offering to talk, the violence continued unabated. Two employees were injured in the incident. Following the violence, videos of the attack soon went viral on social media.

Police arrived after receiving calls from staff, but by then, considerable damage had been done. Initial investigations revealed the attackers were BRSV members protesting the channel’s report on the phone-tapping issue, which included videos uploaded to social media.

“Nearly 20 persons created a ruckus at the media office. A case is being registered,” police said.

Later, BRS leader Gellu Srinivas was taken into custody by the Jubilee Hills police for his alleged role in leading the protesters.