Y S Sharmila files police complaint over 'online rumours' on personal life

Hyderabad: Y S Sharmila, sister of YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy, has requested the city Cyber Crime police to take action against search engines, including Google, for allegedly displaying her name prominently in the search results with regard to "baseless rumours" about her personal life.

She lodged a police complaint yesterday seeking action against certain websites for allegedly spreading stories linking her with a popular cine actor.

"I also request you to take necessary action against the search engines, including Safari of Apple and Google, as these engines are promoting and encouraging dissemination of information by prominently displaying and disclosing information when any search words related to my name is being typed," Sharmila alleged in her five-page complaint.

She requested the police to block websites displaying content that maligns her image and take steps, including issuing appropriate directions to search engines, social media websites, to desist from displaying the malicious content.

In her complaint, Sharmila alleged certain websites are spreading rumours and linking her with a cine actor and requested the police to take necessary action.

"A smear campaign against me has been launched with the sole intention to tarnish my image and dignity. I would like to point to the fact that out of tons of websites that run these baseless rumours on me, not one was able to give single evidence supporting their claim," she said.

Urging the police not be "silent spectators", she said the media, lawmakers, the law protectors and others need to stand up and question the audacity of anyone who tries to spread malice and launch such smear campaigns.

She sought action against such websites under relevant sections of IPC and Section 66A of IT Act (which deals with sending offensive messages through communication service that cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, or ill will).

When contacted, a senior Cyber Cell official said they yesterday arrested two persons, including a web designer, in connection with the case and further probe was on.