Actress and former Congress MP Ramya (Divya Spandana) has urged police to arrest all those who targeted her online with abusive and violent messages after she voiced support for Renuka Swamy’s family in the murder case involving actor Darshan.
Ramya revealed that she had lodged a complaint against 43 social media accounts, some of which issued rape threats. So far, the Cyber Crime Wing of the Central Crime Branch has arrested seven individuals. She stressed that the remaining accused must also be taken into custody.
Addressing the media in Bengaluru on Monday, Ramya said, “The vulgar comments have now reduced. Earlier, women feared filing complaints. After my case, many have come forward and trolls are thinking twice before posting such content.”
She added that online abuse must not be normalized. “Women have the same freedom as men. Darshan should have told his fans not to post such messages. Public figures must set examples by following the law,” she said.
Ramya highlighted that many trolls used fake profiles, often with women’s names and indecent photos, to spread defamatory content. She also recalled that actors Yash and Kichcha Sudeep had earlier faced similar online abuse, but timely action was lacking.
The Film Industry for Rights and Equality (FIRE) group has written to Home Minister G Parameshwara seeking strict action, while the Karnataka State Women’s Commission has urged Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh to take firm steps.
Darshan, the second accused in the Renuka Swamy murder case, remains lodged in Bengaluru Central Prison after the Supreme Court cancelled his bail.