Trichy police commissioner Varun Kumar announced that he and his wife Vandita Pandey (also an IPS officer and serving as Pudukkottai police commissioner) took to social media.
Kumar said in the statement: “My wife and I, who come from a simple family, have decided to temporarily withdraw from these 'X' conversations out of concern for our three children, parents and relatives… We are not doing this out of concern for Out of fear, but out of disgust. Shame on those with twisted minds and cruel intentions who threaten to kill children who portray women in an obscene way through fake accounts.
Talking about his humble family background, the IPS officer said that his grandfather was a postman and his maternal grandfather ran an agricultural seed business in Trichy. “I've been working on issues of women, children and marginalized groups,” he said.
He said that in 2021, a YouTuber with a political party affiliation spread fake news and created major law and order issues in Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts . As the then Superintendent of Police of Tiruvallur district, he arrested the YouTuber and booked him under the Goondas Act.
Recently, the YouTuber was booked and arrested by the Cybercrime Police Station for posting controversial defamatory content. “The coordinator of the YouTuber's affiliated political party lashed out at me (mentioning names of some castes) at a press conference,” he added. “This went beyond criticism and even reached the level of strong slander. Therefore, I A civil and criminal defamation notice was sent to the party's coordinator through my attorney.
“Just because I issued this notice in accordance with the law, they went above and beyond me and spread abusive, obscene, defamatory information and obscene, defamatory statements against my family, women and children on 'X' platform,” the IPS officer claimed .
Kumar also said that pictures of his children and women in my home were depicted in a derogatory and obscene manner, which posed a death threat to his family.
“These are fake accounts and continue to do the same thing. It is understood that many fake accounts were ordered to post obscene posts by paying Tamil speakers living abroad, instigated by the party.
Of the three complaints lodged against him in this matter, three criminal cases have been registered and the cyber crime branch police are investigating the matter, IPS officials said.
Explaining the rationale behind his decision, the SP said considering his responsibilities and the trust people have reposed in them, it would be best to avoid any disruption for the sake of the work they are doing.
“We don’t have to respond to faceless cowards and online mercenaries. Where do they feel the need to attack my wife, children and family who are doing their job as police officers? … At the same time, as a private citizen, I am appalled by this mercenary attack on the Internet. Deeply concerned and outraged by the behavior.
Talking about the extent of this cyber bullying, the SP said that if his wife (District Superintendent of Police) was subjected to this kind of cyber bullying, one can imagine where they would reach if they decided to hold ordinary men and women as the standard. kind of degree.
Kumar said three criminal cases have been registered and two people have been arrested so far. “Further investigations and arrests will continue,” he added. “What is certain is that those involved will be brought to court and punished. As a family member and a police officer, it is my responsibility to stop anti-social gangs that are causing tension in society. activities. I appeal to ordinary people who have suffered such attacks not to be afraid and to lodge complaints voluntarily.
The IPS officer said he was keen to prosecute all persons spreading obscenity under the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act 1998, the Information Technology Act 2000, the Indian Judiciary Act 2023 and the Indian Citizens Protection Act 2023. and fake accounts with defamatory content.
Kumar also mentioned that he would file a defamation case against the party coordinator and two officials. “I will continue these legal proceedings without making any compromises,” he stressed.
Calling on people to lodge complaints against online abuse quickly, the SP said, “Online abuse must be dealt with with the iron fist of the law. No one, especially women and children, should have to put up with it. “
Advocating for safe virtual spaces, the IPS officer said: “With everyone, including children, using social media, we need to stay safe and aware of such threats.”
This statement by Varun Kumar IPS comes after some staff members of Naam Tamilar Katchi kept making defamatory remarks against him.
