Police Crack Down on Viral Fake News of Rape in Tirupati

The Tirupati police have taken decisive action against the dissemination of false information on social media regarding an alleged rape incident in Yerravaripalem mandal. The incident, which was falsely reported to have involved a minor girl from Yellamanda village, sparked widespread outrage after circulating on various social media platforms.

The misinformation quickly gained traction, even drawing attention from political figures who shared the unverified news on their social media accounts. Concerned about the rapid spread of this fake news, the police initiated an investigation into the matter the following day. Subsequent inquiries, including interviews with the girl conducted by female police officers in the presence of her parents, revealed that the reported rape had not taken place.

Medical examinations at the Government Maternity Hospital further confirmed that the allegations were baseless. Superintendent of Police L. Subbarayudu condemned the dissemination of such damaging falsehoods, emphasizing the need for responsible social media behavior. He expressed dismay at the exploitation of a minor’s reputation and warned that legal consequences awaited those involved in spreading such harmful content.

The girl’s father, in a plea for privacy and dignity, clarified that the boys involved had not committed rape but had engaged in a confrontation under the pretext of affection, resulting in minor injuries to his daughter. The family urged the public to respect their privacy and support their efforts to move forward with integrity.

This incident underscores the detrimental impact of fake news circulating on social media platforms. The swift reaction by law enforcement highlights the importance of verifying information before sharing it online. Public awareness campaigns on responsible social media usage and the potential legal ramifications of spreading false information can help prevent such incidents in the future. It is imperative for individuals to exercise caution and restraint in sharing unverified news to avoid causing harm to innocent individuals and upholding the integrity of information dissemination in the digital age.