Haunted' house a menace in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: A duplex house at Kundan Bagh, which is rumoured to be haunted, is a popular site for young men to prove their ‘courage’. Last week, about 20 youths were counseled by the Panjagutta police as they were creating a ruckus at the place as late as 2 am.

Police said that the youths visit the house late at night to prove that they do not fear ghosts. Two constables have also been deployed here to keep them at bay.

The house is located in a lane adjacent to St. Francis Degree College, Begumpet. Ms Swati Mishra, a resident of Kundan Bagh said, “Youths, during the wee hours, stand in front of the house hooting, clicking photographs and throwing stones at it. We have rung up the Panjagutta police several times who arrives and takes the trouble makers in custody.”

In 2014, the Punjagutta police arrested 21 students for creating a nuisance at the ‘haunted house’ at Kundan Bagh. They were arrested under Section 70-C of Hyderabad City Police Act. They were let off with a warning not to keep off it again.

Following such incidents, nearby residents have even employed security guards to shoo away the youths. “We have to spend our own money and hire guards to drive the crowds away. The nuisance is more during weekends. Many come on two-wheelers, or in four-wheelers. They spend hours in front of the house,” said another resident.

Panjagutta circle inspector Mr S. Mohan Kumar added, “The youth are misled by social media. There are several false stories on social network about the house. Whenever the police question them, majority of these ‘courage-exhibitors’ say that they were driven by social media. The previous Saturday over 20 of them were spotted outside the house. The constables drove them away after warning them not to come there.”