Chennai, July 27 (IANS) Chennai Mayor R. Priya on Monday met Greater Chennai Police Commissioner Amalraj at the Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s Office in Vepery and lodged a formal complaint alleging sustained online harassment, prompting the Cyber Crime Wing to launch an investigation.
The Mayor, widely regarded as Tamil Nadu’s youngest Mayor, sought immediate police intervention against unidentified individuals whom she accused of targeting her through social media platforms and other digital channels.
The complaint has attracted considerable attention in political and civic circles in Chennai.
In her complaint, Priya alleged that unknown persons had been harassing her through platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook.
She said morphed photographs and misleadingly edited images depicting her in a defamatory manner were being circulated on social media with the intention of damaging her reputation and misleading the public.
She also alleged that videos of speeches she delivered at official functions and public events were being selectively edited and shared out of context to spread false narratives and defamatory content. According to the complaint, the sustained online campaign appeared to be aimed at tarnishing her public image.
The Mayor further informed the police that the harassment was not confined to social media. She alleged that unidentified persons had repeatedly called and sent messages to her official office telephone number, disrupting the functioning of her office and causing distress to her staff.
Based on the complaint, the police registered a case and initiated an investigation. The Cyber Crime Wing has begun efforts to identify those behind the social media accounts and phone numbers allegedly involved in the harassment.
Investigators are expected to examine digital evidence, including social media posts, WhatsApp messages and call records, to trace the suspects.
Police officials will also examine whether the accused have committed offences under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion in Chennai, with the alleged online targeting of the city’s Mayor raising fresh concerns over the growing misuse of social media platforms for harassment, defamation and the circulation of manipulated digital content.
The investigation is expected to determine the identities of those responsible and whether further legal action is warranted.
–IANS
aal/dan