Chennai Mayor lodges cyberbullying complaint against social media accounts

Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Mayor R. Priya said she had filed a complaint with the police against certain social media accounts, alleging that they had been subjecting her to cyberbullying.

Ms. Priya said that on Friday (July 24, 2026), she submitted a list of accounts that had been “continuously bullying” her online for nearly a year, along with the complaint, to Greater Chennai Police Commissioner A. Amalraj.

She added that the cyber abuse had intensified after the new government assumed office in the State. According to her, a group of “virtual warriors” had been posting obscene comments repeatedly.

“I am a woman who is an elected representative and the Mayor of the city. If I am facing such issues online, that puts into question the safety of women who are not holding any authority. This will discourage many women who aspire to enter politics,” she told The Hindu. She said many women who spoke against political parties or the State government were subjected to online attacks targeting their physical appearance or personal matters.

“It is alright to counter or debate with valid political points, not such slander,” she said.

The Mayor said a case had been registered and that the Chennai Police Commissioner had assured her that action would be taken against the social media accounts she had identified for cyberbullying.