UPSC aspirant files cybercrime complaint over defamatory social media posts linking him to false allegations | #cybercrime | #infosec

The cyber crime wing of Hyderabad police have registered a case following a complaint by a 29-year-old UPSC aspirant alleging that defamatory videos and social media posts falsely linking him to allegations made against another person with the same first name, causing damage to his reputation and mental distress.

The complainant, Harshith Kaveti, a resident of Banjara Hills, alleged that videos circulated on social media by accounts operating under the names – journalist Rakesh, Thirupathi (TRTV), and others – falsely identified him as the person accused of impregnating a woman belonging to the Scheduled Caste community.

In his complaint, Mr. Harshith stated that he is related to Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar and alleged that his photographs were circulated online because they shared the same first name. He maintained that he has no office in Manikonda and has no connection with the allegations made in the videos.

The complainant alleged that the circulation of the content had resulted in numerous phone calls and messages from relatives, friends and acquaintances, causing him and his family severe mental agony and social stigma. He also claimed that the controversy had adversely affected his preparation for the UPSC examination.

Mr. Harshith further alleged that he had obtained an audio recording purportedly featuring a conversation between Bhethi Mahender Reddy and journalist Thirupathi discussing plans to falsely implicate him and evade legal consequences. He requested the police to examine the authenticity of the recording as part of the investigation.

The complaint also alleged that the social media posts falsely claimed that leaders from the Scheduled Caste community had offered ₹10 crore as a settlement to the woman concerned, which he said was fabricated and capable of creating social discord.

The complainant urged the police to remove the defamatory content from social media platforms, identify those responsible for creating and circulating it and initiate criminal proceedings against them.

Based on the complaint, the police registered a case under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further investigation is under way.