Hyderabad: Hyderabad Cyber Crime police have arrested a 30-year-old software engineer for allegedly creating a fake Instagram profile and using it to post abusive, defamatory and sexually explicit comments targeting a woman who is a politically exposed person.
The accused was arrested in connection with a case registered by the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police Station following a complaint from the woman.
Fake Instagram Account Used to Post Objectionable Comments
According to police, the complainant approached the authorities after objectionable comments were posted in October 2025 on a video featuring her.
The video was originally uploaded by the “Pura Local” Instagram channel and was later circulated on social media.
Investigators alleged that the accused deliberately operated a fictitious Instagram profile to conceal his identity. He allegedly used the account to post offensive, defamatory and indecent comments in a public forum.
Police said the alleged posts were intended to damage the complainant’s reputation, attack her dignity and cause public humiliation.
Based on her complaint, police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched an investigation.
Cyber Crime Team Traces Fake Profile
Investigators said the accused allegedly adopted a targeted digital harassment strategy by using an anonymous account to publish inflammatory and indecent material.
The public nature of the posts allegedly increased their reach and was intended to provoke hostility and cause reputational harm, police said.
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime team traced the digital trail and apprehended the accused in the city.
Police seized one mobile phone from him and are examining the device as part of the investigation.
Cyber Crime officials said that using a fake social media identity does not protect offenders from investigation. Digital evidence can help investigators identify the person operating an account.
The investigation will examine the seized device and other available digital evidence.
Police Issue Advisory to Social Media Users
Cyber Crime police advised victims of online harassment not to immediately delete abusive content.
Instead, users should preserve screenshots of the profile, objectionable posts, URLs and date-and-time details before blocking or reporting the account.
Police also advised users to report suspicious profiles through the respective social media platform, strengthen privacy settings and avoid accepting requests from unknown or newly created accounts.
Officials cautioned that fake accounts used to impersonate individuals or circulate abusive, defamatory or sexually explicit material can be traced through digital evidence and may lead to criminal action.
Citizens facing cybercrime or online financial fraud can contact the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 or file a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
The investigation is continuing, police said.
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