Councillor held for 'assaulting mentally-challenged' man in

A ward councillor and two others were today arrested for allegedly beating up a 27-year-old 'mentally challenged' man on suspicion of being a "thief" at Badangpet near here, police said.

The councillor of Badangpet Municipality, E Venu Goud and a group of people allegedly beat up the man last evening causing simple injuries to him after suspecting him of being a thief following rumours in social media on the movement of kidnappers and burglars, they said.

In a video of the incident that has gone viral on social media, the man is seen beaten up with sticks and hands by a group of people.

After getting the information, police reached the spot and rescued the victim and got him shifted to a hospital.

During enquiry he was unable to reveal anything about himself and he seemed to be a mentally challenged person.

After treatment, he was admitted to 'Anand Ashram' (special homes) for security, police said.

Following a complaint, Venu and two others were arrested.

They were booked under IPC section 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and efforts are on to arrest remaining accused, police added.