73 TV anchors, influencers and YouTube channels booked for online harassment of actress

Hyderabad: A film actress approached the police in Hyderabad on Monday, January 12, alleging that she was subjected to online harassment.

Acting on a complaint filed by actress Anasuya Bharadwaj, the Cyber Crimes wing of the Cyberabad police registered cases against 73 persons.

In her complaint, the actress detailed the sequence of events that led to the harassment. The issue began on December 22, 2025, after Telugu actor Sivaji made comments on women’s clothing at a public event. The following day, media persons sought Anasuya’s reaction, to which she responded by supporting personal freedom and individual choice.

Subsequently, Sivaji reportedly referred to her by name while discussing the issue, after which several television channels, content creators and social media users allegedly began targeting her. She claimed that many of them sent sexually explicit, abusive and obscene messages.

Police said cases were registered under Sections 75 (sexual harassment), 79 (acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 336(4) (forgery to harm reputation), 351 (criminal intimidation) and 356 (defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 66-E and 67 of the Information Technology Act.

The accused include television anchors, social media influencers, YouTube channel operators and other media professionals, as listed in the 22-page FIR.

Police said they will approach social media platforms to seek the removal of the objectionable content.