HYDERABAD: A fast-track court in Telangana's Adilabad district sentenced a former AIMIM leader to life in prison for assassinating a political rival on Monday.

Mohammed Farooq Ahmed, a former deputy chairman of Adilabad municipality, opened fire in Adilabad town on December 18, 2020, killing one former corporator and injuring two others. Farooq was found guilty in three cases but acquitted in two others. The principal defendant was sentenced to life in prison for murder.

Farooq was sentenced to seven years in prison for attempted murder and three years under the Arms Act, according to the public prosecutor. All sentences will be executed concurrently.

Farooq was also fined Rs 12,000 in each of the three cases. Additionally, it enabled him to appeal the verdict to a higher court.

Farooq opened fire on his political rival Syed Zameer, his brother Syed Mannan, and nephew Syed Mohtesin with his licenced revolver in Adilabad town's Tatiguda area. Additionally, the accused assaulted them with a knife. Farooq had attacked his adversaries following a scuffle between two groups of cricket players. A video of the attack quickly gained popularity on social media. Farooq was spotted firing from his weapon while holding a knife in the other hand.

Zameer and Mohtesin had been shot, while Mannan had been stabbed. Zameer, 52, was rushed to a hospital in Hyderabad for treatment but died a few days later. Farooq was suspended from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) following the incident.

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