Veteran Telugu actor Mohan Babu has issued an apology to the journalist he attacked while the latter was covering a property dispute between the actor and his son Manchu Manoj in Hyderabad earlier this week. The actor expressed “deep regret” over the incident which began as a “personal family dispute and spiraled into a larger situation”.

“I am writing this letter to formally address the unfortunate incident that occurred recently and to express my deep regret over the events that transpired. It pains me deeply that what started as a personal family dispute spiraled into a larger situation, causing distress not only to the esteemed TV9 family but also to the broader journalist fraternity,” Mohan Babu said.

Clarifying the situation, Mohan Babu said that he lost his composure in the heat of the moment as 30 to 50 “anti-social elements” forcibly barged into his house. According to him, the “elements” had an intent to harm him.

“Amidst this chaos, the media inadvertently became intertwined in the situation. As I tried to manage the situation, one of your journalists, unfortunately, sustained an injury. This was a deeply regrettable outcome, and I deeply regret the pain and inconvenience caused to him, his family, and the TV9 community. I sincerely apologize for my actions, which have caused pain and distress,” he wrote.

Mohan Babu’s apology comes a day after a case of attempt to murder was filed against him, following a complaint by the 35-year-old journalist.

The father-son duo, on December 10, filed police cases against each other over a property dispute. To cover the incident, several newspersons had reached the veteran actor’s house in Jalapalli at his invitation, the TV reporter said in a complaint. Manchu Manoj too had reached his father’s house at that time and forced his way in after an argument with the bouncers at the gate. During this time, some journalists also entered the house along with Mr Manoj and his private security men.

Shortly afterward, the journalist asked Mohan Babu a question about the dispute. This angered the actor and according to videos, he grabbed the reporter’s microphone and attacked him with it.

The journalist suffered multiple fractures in his cheekbone and needed plastic surgery, officials said.

According to the reporter, Mohan Babu also used abusive language towards him.

The veteran actor was also hospitalised after the incident with complaints of body aches, high blood pressure, and severe neck pain. He was discharged yesterday.

Hyderabad:

Police have booked an attempt to murder case against veteran Tollywood actor Mohan Babu for attacking a television journalist at his residence recently.

Rachakonda Police, which earlier registered a case under Bharat Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 118 (1) (causing hurt with dangerous weapons or substances), has added Section 109 (attempt to murder).

Police said that after taking the legal opinion they added Section 109 to the First Information Report (FIR) registered at Pahadi Shareef Police Station.

The FIR was registered on a complaint by M. Satyanarayana, a reporter of Telangana news channel TV9.

Mohan Babu attacked the TV reporter when the latter had gone to his residence in Jalpally to cover the ongoing dispute between him and his actor son Manchu Manoj.

Journalists had staged protests on Wednesday, demanding the police book an attempt to murder case. They had also demanded an apology from Mohan Babu, who is also a former Member of Parliament.

Meanwhile, Mohan Babu remained in hospital. He was admitted on Tuesday night with high blood pressure and anxiety.

He could not appear before Rachakonda Police Commissioner, who had served notices to him and his two sons. The senior actor approached Telangana High Court, which exempted him from appearance till December 24.

Mohan Babu’s elder son and actor Manchu Vishnu on Wednesday termed the Tuesday night attack on the journalist unfortunate. He claimed that the act was not deliberate. He said that their father came before the media by doing ‘namskar’ but when a mike was put close to his mouth, he attacked on an impulse. He assured all help to the family of the injured journalist.

Manchu Manoj, who is locked in a bitter fight with his father, said that he was apologising to the media on behalf of his father. He said the media persons came under attack while supporting him.

The injured reporter stated in his complaint that when Manchu Manoj and other journalists went into the house on the invitation of Manchu Manoj, Mohan Babu confronted them aggressively, used abusive and foul language, grabbed the mike and attacked him with the mike. This resulted in severe head injury.

The incident occurred when Manchu Manoj broke the gate to enter the house after an argument with the bouncers deployed there. Along with Manoj and his private security men, some journalists also entered the house.

When the TV 9 reporter asked a question to Mohan Babu about the dispute with his son, he got enraged, grabbed the mike and attacked the reporter with the mike. The journalist collapsed on the ground. The bouncers drove all the journalists out of the house.

The injured reporter was admitted to a hospital in Shamshabad. According to doctors, he has suffered three fractures in zygomatic bone (cheekbone) and needs plastic surgery.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)