Hyderabad police apprehended 498, including 92 minors, for mass molestation at religious events

A shocking and distressing incident of mass molestation has been reported from Hyderabad during the recent Bonalu and Muharram festival processions, where an alarming total of 478 men, including 92 minors, were apprehended for molesting women within the massive crowds. This swift action was taken by the city's dedicated She Teams, which had been strategically deployed to ensure the safety of women at major congregation zones, including prominent sites like Golconda and the Balkampet Yelamma temple, highlighting a serious breach of public safety during religious festivities.

The She Teams, a specialized unit of the Hyderabad City Police focused on women's safety, played a crucial role in identifying and apprehending the perpetrators. According to a reporter on the ground, "The She Team, that is working for the safety of women, have witnessed 478 men behaving with women and they have been caught by the She Team," underscoring the scale of the misconduct and the effectiveness of the police deployment.

Following these numerous incidents of molestation, law enforcement authorities have registered a total of 8 First Information Reports (FIRs) against individuals involved in more serious offenses. In addition to the FIRs, a significant number of offenders, specifically 288 individuals, were issued warnings and subsequently released, indicating a varied approach to handling the apprehended individuals based on the severity of their actions.

The presence of 92 minors among the apprehended individuals is particularly concerning, raising questions about juvenile behavior in large public gatherings and the need for stricter parental and societal oversight. This aspect of the incident points to a broader societal issue that extends beyond just adult misconduct.