Kolkata: The Kolkata Police have arrested a man from Bihar for allegedly posting abusive and obscene comments on social media targeting popular Bengali actress Subhashree Ganguly, following Argentine football icon Lionel Messi’s recent visit to the city. The arrest comes amid heightened concern over online harassment of public figures, particularly women, and the misuse of social media platforms to spread derogatory content.
The accused has been identified as Bittu Srivastava, a native of Titagarh near Kolkata, who was currently residing in Ara, Bihar. He was arrested on Saturday after a complaint was filed by actor-turned Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Raj Chakraborty, who is also the husband of Subhashree Ganguly. The complaint was registered at the Titagarh Police Station on December 14, citing sustained online abuse and vulgar remarks directed at the actress.
Complaint and background of the case
According to police officials, the case stems from a wave of online backlash that erupted after photographs of Subhashree Ganguly with Lionel Messi during his Kolkata visit went viral on social media. The images triggered a section of users to post derogatory and obscene comments, some of which allegedly crossed legal boundaries.
Raj Chakraborty, in his complaint, alleged that his wife was subjected to continuous trolling, character assassination and abusive language on social media platforms. He also claimed that the nature of the comments was obscene and defamatory, warranting immediate legal action.
Police sources said the complaint highlighted specific posts and accounts, following which a technical investigation was launched to trace the origin of the comments. Based on digital evidence and IP tracking, Bittu Srivastava was identified as one of the primary accused.
Arrest and legal proceedings
A police team travelled to Ara in Bihar and arrested Srivastava on Saturday. He was later brought to Kolkata on transit remand and produced before a court in Barrackpore on Monday. The court remanded him to two days of police custody to facilitate further interrogation.
A senior police officer said that the accused is being questioned to determine whether he acted alone or was part of a larger group involved in coordinated online trolling. “We are also examining whether there was any political or organised instigation behind the posts,” the officer added.
The police have not ruled out further arrests, stating that the investigation is ongoing and more details could emerge as digital forensics analysis progresses.
Political reactions and allegations
Speaking to reporters after the arrest, Raj Chakraborty welcomed the police action and reiterated that online abuse of women, especially public figures, cannot be normalised or ignored.
“Such attacks on women are unacceptable. I will pursue this matter till the end. This is not just about my wife but about setting an example against online harassment,” he said.
Chakraborty further alleged that the accused had also posted derogatory remarks against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC MP Partha Bhowmik. He claimed that the pattern of comments suggested possible political motivation, though police officials said this aspect is still under verification.
Messi’s visit and public backlash
Lionel Messi’s visit to Kolkata on December 13 had generated massive excitement among football fans across the state. However, the event descended into chaos when large crowds gathered at the Salt Lake Stadium, breaking security protocols after failing to catch more than a fleeting glimpse of the football star during his brief 22-minute appearance.
The disappointment among fans, combined with heightened emotions on social media, is believed to have contributed to the online backlash that followed, including the targeting of celebrities associated with the event.
Online abuse under scrutiny
The case has once again brought the issue of online abuse and trolling into sharp focus. Legal experts note that existing laws provide for action against obscene content, criminal intimidation and defamation online, but effective enforcement remains a challenge due to the scale and anonymity of social media platforms.
Police officials reiterated that freedom of expression does not extend to abuse, obscenity or harassment. “We urge social media users to act responsibly. Legal action will be taken against those who cross the line,” an officer said.
Conclusion
With the accused now in police custody, the case is expected to test the resolve of law enforcement agencies in curbing online harassment and setting deterrents against digital abuse. Authorities have indicated that the investigation will continue to identify all individuals involved, reinforcing the message that social media misconduct has real-world legal consequences.