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New Indian Express
3 days ago
- New Indian Express
Renukaswamy murder case: Ramya seeks action after Darshan fans abuse her
BENGALURU: Former MP and actress Ramya on Monday sought action against fans of actor Darshan Thoogudeepa for sending 'scandalous, ghastly, offensive, obnoxious and vulgar' messages to her on Instagram from various accounts. She submitted a petition to Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, while the Karnataka State Commission for Women (KSCW) also wrote to the police commissioner, directing him to act against those posting derogatory messages to Ramya on social media. The Film Industry for Rights and Equality (FIRE) and several other organisations, besides many actors, extended their support to Ramya. The actress has compiled details of 43 accounts, from which miscreants have given her rape and death threats. A few accounts are also in the name of women. The actress was targeted after she shared an article about Supreme Court proceedings in the bail hearing of actor Darshan and others, who are the accused in the murder of Renukaswamy. Ramya had stated that Renukaswamy's family should get justice. The Central division CEN police registered an FIR against all the 43 accounts mentioned in Ramya's complaint. The case has been registered under Sec 66 and 67 of IT Act and 351(2), 351(3), 352, 75(1)(4), and 79 of BNS. Ramya had given the IDs of all the 43 accounts and one of the accused has been identified as Pramod Gowda.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Actor Ramya lodges complaint after ‘threats' from Darshan fans
Former Lok Sabha MP and actor Ramya on Monday filed a formal complaint with the Bengaluru city police commissioner, alleging that she was subjected to threats and vulgar abuse by fans of actor Darshan on social media. The complaint includes screenshots of the offensive messages and urges the police to take stringent legal action. Previously, Ramya publicly stated that Renukaswamy, who was murdered in a case allegedly involving Darshan, 'will get justice,' and vowed to file a complaint against Darshan's fans for sending her obscene and abusive messages online. (File photo) This comes after Ramya publicly stated that Renukaswamy, who was murdered in a case allegedly involving Darshan, 'will get justice,' and vowed to file a complaint against Darshan's fans for sending her obscene and abusive messages online. 'This is not just about me. I was told I should have been murdered. I received rape threats, vulgar and deeply disturbing messages. That's when I realised someone had to act,' Ramya told reporters after filing the complaint. 'It shows just how degraded parts of our society have become.' Referring to the Dharmasthala case, she said: 'We're talking about the bodies of 500 women and young girls buried in Dharmasthala. That mindset is what fuels such horrors. If we stay silent, the harassment, rape, and murder of women will only continue.' Ramya stated that she has reported 43 accounts — 'only the most obscene' — and expressed gratitude to those who supported her unprompted. 'But from the film industry? No one reached out.' Ramya also alleged that the issue is not new. 'Two years ago, I flagged vile messages from a popular actor's fans — not targeting me, but his wife and family. Even dead children were being targeted. I spoke up then too but again, there was silence. No condemnation, no accountability,' she said. The complaint has triggered strong reactions from both the political and institutional spheres. Home minister G Parameshwara said the police would act decisively. 'If actor Ramya files a complaint, the police will take legal action. In some cases, even if there's no formal complaint, we act on our own if necessary. The police will investigate this seriously,' he said. In response to the allegations, Women's commission chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary also expressed concern and called for immediate legal steps. 'Derogatory messages being circulated on social media are damaging the dignity of women,' she said. In her letter to the city police commissioner, she wrote, 'These vulgar messages must be stopped immediately, and those responsible should face strict legal consequences.' The Film Industry for Rights and Equality (FIRE), a collective advocating for a safer work environment in the Kannada film industry, has also intervened. In a formal letter addressed to the state home minister, FIRE condemned the abuse as 'vile and deeply offensive.' The letter said: 'The online abuse and hateful content aimed at Ramya is a direct affront to the core values of our democracy.' FIRE cited relevant provisions under the Indian Penal Code — Sections 499, 500, 505(2), and 509 — and the Information Technology Act, urging cybercrime authorities to act swiftly. 'Failure to curb such behaviour sends a dangerous message and normalises gender-based hate in digital spaces,' the group noted. Meanwhile, the row has escalated further as Darshan's wife, Vijayalakshmi Darshan, announced that she would be filing a counter-complaint against Ramya. In a statement to the media, Vijayalakshmi accused Ramya of making prejudicial comments while the murder case against Darshan remains sub judice. 'The case has not yet been settled in the court. They are already calling Darshan guilty. It is not right for Ramya to comment on a case that is in the court,' she said, confirming that she would approach the Cyber Crime Police.
