Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Telangana MLA Faces Outrage After Viral Bus Video
A video from a bus showed a lawmaker talking with girl students, and it appeared that he held one student's hand or arm.
People disagreed about what the video showed.
The lawmaker said he was asking about a free bus program and that the bus turning caused his hand to move.
He said he treated the student respectfully, like a daughter.
A political opponent and an advocate called for authorities to respond.
The advocate said a child-protection law might apply if the student is underage.
The reports say the video caused criticism online.
They do not say that police opened a case or that the lawmaker was formally punished.
A viral video showed Congress MLA Malreddy Ranga Reddy speaking with girl students aboard a state-run bus, with footage appearing to show him holding one student's hand or arm.
Reports said the bus trip took place Tuesday between Ibrahimpatnam and Yamjal; Ranga Reddy said he boarded at Bonguluru after a district meeting on October 6.
Ranga Reddy said he spoke with the students about the Mahalakshmi free-bus scheme and that a road turn explained his hand movement; he described his conduct as respectful and fatherly.
BRS leader R.S. Praveen Kumar questioned the contact and called for action, while advocate Dr K. Bharati urged police to investigate and said POCSO could apply if the girl is a minor.
The reports describe public criticism and calls for action, but do not establish that police opened a case or that the MLA faced formal disciplinary action.
- Who
- Congress MLA Malreddy Ranga Reddy, girl students on the bus, BRS leader R.S. Praveen Kumar, and advocate Dr K. Bharati.
- What
- A viral bus video prompted allegations that Ranga Reddy touched a student inappropriately; he denied wrongdoing and gave an explanation.
- When
- The trip was reported to have taken place Tuesday, and Ranga Reddy addressed the video on Wednesday. He said he boarded the bus on October 6.
- Where
- On a Telangana State Road Transport Corporation bus; one report describes the route as Ibrahimpatnam to Yamjal, while Ranga Reddy said he boarded at Bonguluru.
- Why
- Ranga Reddy said he was discussing the Mahalakshmi bus scheme and that a road turn caused his hand to move; critics questioned the contact and called for action.
Critics' Concerns and Calls for Action
Ranga Reddy's Explanation
Meaning of the contact
Critics' Concerns and Calls for Action
BRS leader R.S. Praveen Kumar questioned why the MLA held the student's hand; advocate Dr K. Bharati called the incident a case of outraging modesty and urged investigation.
Ranga Reddy's Explanation
Ranga Reddy said he was speaking to the students with fatherly affection, described his conduct as respectful, and said the bus turning caused his hand to move.
Authorities' response
Critics' Concerns and Calls for Action
Praveen Kumar called for action, and Bharati urged police to take cognisance; Praveen Kumar also called for the Women's Commission to summon the MLA.
Ranga Reddy's Explanation
Ranga Reddy said the video was being interpreted wrongly and accused vested interests of conducting a smear campaign; the reports do not document a formal case or disciplinary action.
- MLA
- Malreddy Ranga Reddy, Congress MLA for Ibrahimpatnam
- Video
- Viral footage showed Ranga Reddy speaking with girl students and appearing to hold one student's hand.
- Reported route
- Ibrahimpatnam to Yamjal; Ranga Reddy said he boarded at Bonguluru.
- Scheme discussed
- Mahalakshmi, the state's free bus travel scheme for women
- MLA's response
- He said the interaction was respectful and fatherly, and attributed his hand movement to a turn in the road.
- Calls for action
- BRS leader R.S. Praveen Kumar called for action; advocate Dr K. Bharati urged police to take cognisance.
- Possible legal provision
- Bharati said POCSO could be invoked if the girl is a minor.
- Reported official response
- The reports do not say police opened a case or that formal action was taken against the MLA.
