Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Mar 12: The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have arrested two women journalists associated with a news channel for allegedly circulating a video containing derogatory and abusive remarks against Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.
The accused, Pogadadanda Revathi, Managing Director of Pulse News, and Bandi Sandhya alias Thanvi Yadav, a reporter from the same channel, were taken into custody along with the user of the 'X' account ‘NippuKodi’ following a complaint filed by a Congress social media cell state secretary.
The journalists have been booked under multiple sections of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 67 (publication or transmission of obscene material in electronic form), Section 111 (organized crime), Section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), Section 353(2) (spreading false information or inciting hatred), and Section 352 (intentionally provoking a breach of peace).
According to the complaint, the video in question, posted on 'X' by 'NippuKodi', featured a representative from Pulse News interviewing an individual in a highly provocative manner. The interviewee allegedly made offensive and defamatory remarks against CM Revanth Reddy, indicating an attempt by the media outlet to spread false propaganda and malign the Chief Minister’s reputation.
The complainant also stated that such content is highly inflammatory and could create societal divisions, potentially leading to law and order disturbances.
Police investigations revealed that Revathi had been previously arrested in another case for verbally abusing a Dalit individual during a live show. She had also been booked last year for allegedly making false allegations against Telangana State Power Distribution Company Limited. Meanwhile, Sandhya has been accused of repeatedly posting abusive content against the Telangana government and the Chief Minister.
During the arrests, the police seized two laptops, two hard disks, a Pulse News microphone logo, a wireless router, and seven CPUs as part of their investigation.
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have urged citizens to exercise caution while posting content on social media. They warned that circulating defamatory, abusive, or provocative material, especially against public figures and government officials, is a punishable offence under Indian law.