UPSC aspirant files cyber complaint over false social media posts linking him to caste allegations

Hyderabad police have registered a cybercrime complaint filed by a 29-year-old UPSC aspirant, Harshith Kaveti, who alleges that defamatory videos and social media posts falsely linked him to serious allegations made against another person sharing his first name.

Mr. Kaveti, a resident of Banjara Hills, said that accounts operating under names such as 'journalist Rakesh' and 'Thirupathi (TRTV)' circulated videos identifying him as the person accused of impregnating a woman from the Scheduled Caste community. He stated that he is related to Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar and that his photographs were used because he shares the same first name as the actual accused.

The complainant maintained that he has no office in Manikonda and no connection to the allegations. He reported that the circulation of content led to numerous calls and messages from relatives, friends, and acquaintances, causing severe mental agony and social stigma. He also claimed that the controversy disrupted his preparation for the UPSC examination.

Mr. Kaveti further alleged that he obtained an audio recording of a conversation between Bhethi Mahender Reddy and journalist Thirupathi, in which they discussed plans to falsely implicate him and evade legal consequences. He requested police to examine the recording's authenticity.

The complaint also stated that some social media posts falsely claimed that leaders from the Scheduled Caste community had offered ₹10 crore as a settlement to the woman, which Mr. Kaveti described as fabricated and capable of creating social discord. He urged police to remove the defamatory content, identify those responsible, and initiate criminal proceedings.

Based on the complaint, police registered a case under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigation is underway.