Telangana Director General of Police B. Shivadhar Reddy | Photo credit: By arrangement
Telangana Director General of Police B. Shivadhar Reddy on Wednesday strongly warned against character assassination and misuse of social media platforms and reiterated that strict legal action would be taken against those who cross the lines of the law.
In a statement issued on Wednesday (January 14) in Hyderabad, the DGP said he had earlier laid down guidelines for responsible use of social media and warned that their violation would require decisive action.
Mr. Reddy said the police would initiate legal action against anyone caught engaging in character assassination, defamation of others or targeting individuals under the guise of social media activity. He made it clear that the spread of fake news, baseless accusations, dissemination of fake content and attempts to interfere in the personal lives of individuals or their family members will not be tolerated.
At the same time, the DGP said that the police have no objection to constructive criticism or opinions expressed under the law. However, he warned that if social media platforms were misused to spread falsehoods or target individuals, those responsible would face severe legal consequences.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar also spoke on the issue, strongly condemning attacks on women through social media, television and other platforms in X. He said that criticism and scrutiny are part of public life, but targeting any woman, whether a civil servant, a professional in the private sector or a housewife, is not criticism but cruelty and is unacceptable.
Mr. Sajjanar said women today have led from the front in administration, policing, governance, science, public life and media, while shouldering major responsibilities at home that often go unnoticed. According to him, an attack on their character was tantamount to an attack on the very idea of progress.
He warned that a society that does not respect women, especially those in leadership roles, is undermining its own future and argued that such humiliation and prejudice will not be tolerated.
Published – 14 Jan 2026 20:47 IST
