Lavanya Tripathi files cybercrime complaint over online harassment

Telugu film actress Lavanya Tripathi Konidela has filed a formal cybercrime complaint with the Hyderabad Cybercrime Police , alleging a prolonged and targeted campaign of online harassment, abusive commentary, defamatory posts and personal attacks on social media that she says has impacted her reputation and caused emotional distress to her and her family.

In the complaint lodged on Tuesday, Tripathi specifically named an Instagram account identified as “Purple Crayon00” as the source of the harassment, alleging that the user repeatedly shared derogatory content, false claims and vulgar remarks aimed at tarnishing her image and questioning her character and moral values. According to the filing, the account’s behaviour went beyond ordinary criticism and included attacks directed not just at her but at her spouse, children and other family members as well.

According to police records, some of the objectionable behaviour highlighted in her complaint included repeated defamatory posts purporting false narratives about her personal life , obscene comments and insulting language in replies , and manipulated or insulting imagery posted to ridicule her publicly . Tripathi asserted that this pattern of harassment had caused significant stress and anxiety, disrupting her mental peace and prompting her to seek legal recourse.

Following her complaint, officials registered a case against the unidentified account holder under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 , which pertains to the publication or transmission of obscene material in electronic form, along with Sections 78 and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) , which deal with online offences and acts intended to insult or harm through digital mediums. Cybercrime investigators have begun tracing digital footprints and technical evidence associated with the accused account to identify and apprehend those responsible.

Tripathi’s decision to approach authorities comes amid a wider trend among South Indian film personalities who have increasingly come forward to combat online abuse and trolling through legal means. In recent months, other actresses have also filed complaints after facing toxic commentary and misuse of images and posts on social platforms.

The actress, who married fellow actor Varun Tej in 2023 and has recently embraced motherhood, has been balancing her personal life with her professional commitments, including awaiting the release of her latest film. In her complaint, she stressed that the harassment had crossed all limits over time, affecting her family’s well‑being and prompting her to seek official intervention.

Cybercrime officials say the investigation is ongoing and that they are working to remove offending content from social platforms while continuing efforts to identify and take action against the individual or group behind the harassment.

By taking this step, Tripathi has highlighted the serious impact that persistent online abuse and defamatory behaviour can have on public figures, and the importance of legal protections and enforcement in tackling such digital harassment.