Telangana HC orders police protection to ‘non-mangali’ salon owner

Senior Advocate V. Raghunath, appearing for the petitioner, contended that despite submitting a formal complaint to the police on the same day, no protection was granted.

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has ordered police protection for a person, who was attacked for running a salon as a ‘non-mangali’ in Vikarabad.

The petitioner, Feroz Khan, was operating a beauty parlour-cum-salon and was allegedly threatened and attacked on caste-based grounds as he was not supposed to run a salon as a non-mangali.

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Justice T Vinod Kumar of the High Court upheld the petitioner’s right to occupation under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution.

Feroz Khan complained of police inaction in protecting his livelihood and personal safety. He alleged that on June 21, 2025, a mob led by local individuals attacked and threatened him at his premises in BTS Colony, Vikarabad, objecting to his operation of a salon business on caste-based grounds, stating that as a non-Mangali, he should not run a salon.

Senior Advocate V. Raghunath, appearing for the petitioner, contended that despite submitting a formal complaint to the police on the same day, no protection was granted. Instead, the petitioner continued to receive threats from local individuals, severely obstructing his right to conduct business.

He submitted that such threats and caste-based restrictions amounted to a violation of Article 19(1)(g), which guaranteed the right to practice any profession or to carry on any occupation.

The Government Pleader for Home submitted that following the complaint, the police had dispersed the mob and subsequently registered Crime No. 251 of 2025 under relevant provisions. He further assured the Court that the police would maintain a “point book” at the business premises and ensure a patrol vehicle visits every three hours during business hours to ensure the petitioner’s safety during business operations.

Recording these submissions, the Court directed the police authorities to carry out the patrols and maintain the logbook for a period of one month. The Court also instructed the police to continue the investigation into the registered crime and take appropriate action against those involved in the alleged attack.