Tollywood approaches Lalbazar cyber cell over online harassment
The Statesman | 2 January 2026
The issue of online harassment took centre stage in Kolkata on Friday, as leading members of theBengali film industry approached the police, even as BJP leader Dilip Ghosh and his wife Rinku Majumdar Ghosh lodged a separate cyber complaint over defamatory social media posts targeting their personal life.
Towards the end of 2025, Tollywood’s screening committee had announced its decision to move the administration against what it described as sustained and unwarranted harassment of actors, producers and other film personalities on social media platforms. Acting on that decision, on the second working day of 2026, members of the screening committee and the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India arrived at Lalbazar and met officials of the cybercrime division. The delegation was led by screening committee chairperson Pia Sengupta and federation president Swaroop Biswas. Prominent film personalities, including Shrikant Mohta, Srijit Mukherji, Jisshu Sengupta, Abir Chatterjee, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Nispal Singh Rane, Neel Dutt, Rana Sarkar and Shiboprosad Mukherjee were also present. Before entering the cybercrime office, Mr Biswas addressed the Media, stating that the industry had collectively decided to act against continuous and baseless harassment. “We are here to ensure that such unethical activities are stopped. A written representation will be submitted today,” he said.
Sources said the memorandum bears the signatures of a large number of well-known figures from the industry. The meeting between the Tollywood delegation and cyber officials lasted for over an hour.
In a parallel development, the focus returned to BJP leader Dilip Ghosh, whose wife Rinku Majumdar Ghosh has approached the Bidhannagar cybercrime police, alleging that their married life is being targeted through offensive and defamatory posts on social media. According to the complaint, two accounts — operating under the names Ananya Chattopadhyay and Indranil Chakraborty — have been posting false and malicious content about the couple. Ms Ghosh has alleged that the posts are aimed at deliberately tarnishing their public image. The complaint cites provisions of the Information Technology Act as well as multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita related to defamation, obscene public comments and anonymous threats.
Mr Ghosh said such attacks had been continuing for several months but had largely escaped his attention as he is not active on social media. “My wife noticed these posts and was deeply hurt. She felt action was necessary, and I agreed,” he said, adding that the couple has sought strict action and early identification of those responsible. Mr Ghosh and Ms Majumdar were married on April 18 last year in a private ceremony at their New Town residence. Since then, the couple had been frequently facing online criticism and personal attacks, which intensified even after the death of Ms Majumdar’s only son in May. This time, however, she has chosen to speak out formally against what she describes as sustained cyber harassment.