Chennai Mayor Files Cyberbullying Complaint Over Social Media Posts
- Mayor R. Priya filed a complaint at the Chennai City Police Commissioner's Office.
- The complaint targets several social media accounts for alleged cyberbullying and harassment.
- Police have registered a case under relevant IT Act and IPC sections.
- The move comes amid growing concerns over online abuse of public figures.
Chennai Mayor R. Priya has filed a formal complaint with the city police against multiple social media accounts, accusing them of cyberbullying and harassment. The complaint was submitted at the Chennai City Police Commissioner's Office on Monday.
Details of the Complaint
According to sources, the Mayor's office identified several social media handles that had been posting allegedly defamatory and abusive content targeting her. The complaint specifically mentions repeated instances of personal attacks and unverified allegations.
Officials at the Commissioner's Office confirmed that a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and the Indian Penal Code. The cyber crime wing has been tasked with investigating the matter.
Growing Trend of Online Abuse
This is not an isolated incident. Several elected representatives in Tamil Nadu have recently complained about coordinated online harassment campaigns. In April, a state minister had similarly approached the cyber crime cell over abusive posts.
Legal experts point out that while freedom of speech is protected, targeted harassment and defamation fall under criminal provisions. The police are expected to issue notices to the platforms for account details.
Police Response and Next Steps
Chennai Police Commissioner has assured a thorough probe. A senior officer stated that the cyber crime team will trace the origin of the posts and identify the individuals behind the accounts.
The investigation will also look into whether the accounts are operated by individuals or part of an organised network. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of impersonation.
The Mayor's office has declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation. However, sources indicate that the complaint includes screenshots and URLs of the offending posts as evidence.
What to watch: The outcome of the police investigation and whether this leads to stricter enforcement against online abuse of public figures in Tamil Nadu.