Cyberabad police have registered cases against 73 individuals and entities for alleged online abuse and harassment targeting actress Anasuya Bharadwaj. The complaints, filed from December 2025 onwards, detail accusations ranging from defamatory and abusive comments to the circulation of sexually explicit, AI-generated content.
The actress claims the harassment intensified after she voiced opinions on individual freedom and women's clothing choices in a media interaction on December 20, 2025. Her intervention on comments made by actor Sivaji reportedly made her a target. The FIR, registered on January 12, 2026, names several individuals, social media handles, and mainstream news channels, with charges including defamation, sexual harassment, and intimidation.
Arrests Detail Escalation of Online Attacks
In recent weeks, police have made arrests in connection with the case. On March 12, 2026, a man identified as Janardhan, from Andhra Pradesh, was apprehended for allegedly posting objectionable content, including an AI-fabricated video targeting the actress, via his Instagram account. This follows earlier arrests, with two individuals taken into custody in the days leading up to March 13, 2026, for similar offenses. These actions highlight the escalating nature of the online campaign against Bharadwaj.
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Media Outlets and Individuals Named
The 22-page First Information Report (FIR) also lists several media professionals and platforms. Accused individuals include television anchors Rohit and Manoj Ejjagiri, journalist Durga, and media platforms such as 10TV Entertainment, 10TV News Telugu, 5Max TV, Always Cinema Live, APTalks 24x7, Balagam TV, RTV Andhra Pradesh, and RTV News Network, for allegedly amplifying and circulating the abusive content. Other named individuals in the FIR include Bojja Sandhya Reddy, Priya Chowdary Gogineni, social media influencer Pavani, artist Shekhar Bhasa alias Raja Sekhar Gudimella, advocate Rajni, and Karate Kalyani.
Technical Hurdles and Ongoing Investigations
Despite the ongoing investigations and arrests, the probe has faced technical challenges. Summons have been issued to some of the accused, with questioning beginning in late February 2026. The cybercrime wing has urged social media users to exercise responsible online behavior, warning that posting abusive or defamatory content can lead to legal consequences under the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
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Background: Past Controversies and Apologies
Earlier in January 2026, Bharadwaj issued a public apology to veteran actress Raasi regarding remarks made in an old skit from three years prior. This incident, which resurfaced online, involved double-meaning dialogues that reportedly left Raasi disappointed. Bharadwaj stated she could not "go back and fix it now" but expressed well wishes. This apology occurred shortly before the cyber harassment complaints intensified, adding a layer of complexity to the public discourse surrounding the actress.
