Tollywood actress, politician’s relative files cybercrime complaint over online harassment
HYDERABAD: A popular Tollywood actress and a relative of a politician from Andhra Pradesh has filed a complaint with Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police alleging online defamation and cyberbullying. Police registered a criminal case on Saturday.
The actress alleged that several social media accounts circulated defamatory posts about her personal life and relationships. According to the complaint, many of the objectionable comments were posted on Thursday.
Ongoing harassment through social media
“The harassment is ongoing. It includes defamatory allegations of a sexual nature and false accusations questioning my character and morality,” the complainant told police.
She said the cyberbullying involved repeated targeting through multiple posts. The posts were intended to publicly humiliate her and damage her reputation. The harassment, she said, appeared continuous and systematic.
Sexual allegations and abusive language cited
In her complaint, the actress cited several vulgar posts uploaded on different social media platforms.
“The accused continued making defamatory statements with false sexual allegations. They also used explicit and abusive language targeting my personal life and relationships,” she said.
She told police that the repeated posts caused severe mental harassment and emotional distress. The allegations also damaged her reputation in both her personal and professional life.
“The constant harassment caused emotional distress and public humiliation. The circulation of false allegations created fear and intimidation,” the complaint stated.
She also said the posts violated her dignity and her right to privacy.
Police invoke BNS and IT Act provisions
The actress urged police to coordinate with social media platforms to remove the objectionable content.
Based on the complaint, Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police registered a case under Sections 78 (stalking) and 79 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act were also invoked.
Police said an investigation has begun to identify the people behind the posts.
Similar online harassment cases reported
Recently, a character artiste and television personality also faced online harassment. Several social media users had posted abusive and objectionable comments against her.
