FIR registered against TV5 CEO Murthy, Gautami after Telangana HC order
HYDERABAD: Acting on a Telangana High Court directive, Kukatpally police have registered a case against TV5 chief executive officer D.H.V.S.S.N. Murthy and anchor Gautami Chowdhary for allegedly tapping and broadcasting private phone calls, violating personal privacy, and attempting to extort ₹10 crore.
The case was registered under Section 308(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 72 of the Information Technology Act. Police said investigation has begun following the High Court’s order to take legal action.
Court orders police to act on actor’s plea
The High Court directive came after a petition filed by actor Kakani Dharma Satya Sai Srinivasa Mahesh, who alleged that despite a complaint lodged with the Cyberabad police on October 7, 2025, no action had been taken. Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar, hearing Writ Petition No. 32454 of 2025, ordered the Kukatpally police station house officer to register an FIR and proceed as per law.
Advocate Nagoor Babu, representing Mahesh, told the court that the accused had unlawfully recorded and aired private phone conversations, amounting to criminal conspiracy and breach of privacy.
Petition cites illegal surveillance, blackmail
According to the petition, the complaint disclosed “cognisable offences involving illegal phone tapping, unauthorised digital surveillance, installation of spy cameras, blackmail, extortion, criminal intimidation, voyeurism, breach of privacy, and criminal conspiracy.”
The actor sought a direction to the Director General of Police and the Cyberabad Commissioner to ensure a “fair, impartial and expeditious investigation.” He also requested preservation of digital evidence, including call data records and audio clips, and the formation of an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) from outside the Telangana Police.
HC admits plea, seeks response from state
Mahesh also urged the court to declare the interception and dissemination of his private communications unconstitutional, citing violation of his right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The High Court admitted the petition and issued notices to the state home department, the police, and other respondents for their responses.
Murthy refutes charges, calls it political vendetta
Reacting to the FIR, Murthy strongly denied the allegations and described them as a political conspiracy. “This is a YSRC (Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress) conspiracy against me. I did not tap any phone and have nothing to do with any audios,” he said.
Murthy added that his organisation’s chairman had expressed full support for him. “If I am found guilty, hang me,” he said, asserting that he was being targeted for professional reasons.
He further claimed that a YSRC MLC was behind the allegations. “When the police found no evidence and refused to take up the complaint, they approached the court, which has now ordered the investigation,” Murthy added.
