Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police Arrest Software Engineer Over Fake Instagram Harassment Case

Hyderabad Cyber Crime police have arrested a 30-year-old software engineer for allegedly creating a fake Instagram account and using it to post abusive, defamatory and sexually explicit comments targeting a woman described as a politically exposed person. The accused was arrested after the woman approached the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police Station over objectionable comments posted on social media. Police said the incident highlights how anonymous online accounts can be traced through digital evidence.

According to investigators, the alleged harassment began in October 2025 when offensive comments were posted on a video featuring the complainant. The video had originally been uploaded by an Instagram channel and was later circulated on social media. Police alleged that the accused deliberately operated a fictitious profile to conceal his identity while posting offensive and defamatory remarks in a public forum.

Police said the posts were allegedly aimed at damaging the woman's reputation, attacking her dignity and causing public humiliation. Following her complaint, the Cyber Crime Police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and began investigating the account and the person allegedly operating it. Investigators subsequently traced the digital trail and identified the accused.

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The accused was apprehended in Hyderabad, and police seized a mobile phone from him as part of the investigation. The device is being examined along with other available digital evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged posts. Investigators are also expected to examine the online activity connected to the fake account as the probe continues.

Cyber Crime officials said using a fake identity on social media does not shield an individual from investigation, as digital evidence can help trace the person behind an account. Police advised victims of online harassment to preserve screenshots of abusive posts, account details, URLs and relevant date-and-time information before blocking or reporting the account. Such material can assist investigators in establishing the source and sequence of online activity.

Police have also urged citizens to report suspicious or abusive profiles through the appropriate social media platforms and to strengthen their account privacy settings. Officials cautioned users against engaging with unknown accounts and said those who use fake profiles to circulate abusive, defamatory or sexually explicit material could face legal action. The investigation into the Hyderabad case is continuing.

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