Hyderabad: The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has expelled its Telangana leader Mirza Rahmat Baig and asked him to resign as a member of the state Legislative Council amid what appear to be allegations of sexual assault.
The party joint secretary S.A. Hussain Anwar posted on X that Baig was asked to resign with immediate effect even as the MLC was in Saudi Arabia for Umrah.
The AIMIM, however, did not disclose the reasons for his expulsion from the party, only confirming that Baig was asked Thursday to return to Hyderabad the next day.
ThePrint has learnt that Baig (49) has returned. However, legislative council Chairman Gutha Sudhakar Reddy said he had not received the resignation letter yet.
ThePrint made attempts to contact both Mirza Rahmat Baig and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi for comment but could not reach either.
AIMIM spokespersons, too, were not willing to comment on the case. Also, ThePrint spoke to three party MLAs and asked about the issue, but none agreed to make a statement.
No FIR has been registered yet by the victim’s kin, but AIMIM office-bearers and the police suspect a leaked video could hold clues to the alleged crime.
The action taken against Baig holds significance as it comes just two days after AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi warned in a public speech that strict action will be taken against anyone who violates the party’s code of conduct.
Baig represents the Hyderabad local authorities and has more than three years remaining in his current term. The case emerged after Baig approached the cybercrime police last week alleging that unidentified youth made WiFi calls demanding money and threatening to defame him by circulating deepfake videos if he was unwilling to pay.
The MLC told the police he suspected his political rivals were behind the calls and alleged they were trying to tarnish his reputation.
He urged the police to investigate the matter and take steps to protect his dignity. The cybercrime police registered a case under Sections 308 (extortion) and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
With reasons for Baig’s expulsion not being made clear, there is intense pressure on the party and its MLAs to come clean on the allegations made against him.
The issue has also led to intense speculation in Hyderabad’s political circles that an AIMIM MLA and a corporator could also be involved in this case.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)