Telugu YouTuber Anvesh booked for defaming Telangana DGP in 'metro scam' video

Popular Telugu YouTuber Anvesh, who runs the travel channel Prapancha Yatrikudu with over 2.1 million subscribers, has been booked by Cyberabad’s cybercrime police for allegedly defaming Telangana’s Director General of Police (DGP) Jitender and other senior officials in a recent video.

Anvesh had released a video titled ‘Telangana DGP Metro Scam’ on April 29. In the video, the YouTuber allegedly made claims about the presence of betting advertisements in Hyderabad Metro Rail and linked them to top government officials, including the DGP and some IAS officers.

According to TOI, the video also featured their photographs and was promoted using the DGP’s image in the thumbnail. Following public backlash, Anvesh removed the video from his channel.

Acting on a complaint filed by a head constable, police registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 352 (intentional insult), 353 (statements likely to cause public disorder), 356 (defamation), and relevant sections of the Information Technology Act, thee TOI report said.

The complaint states that the video used “baseless, inflammatory, and derogatory language” and falsely accused the DGP of supporting illegal betting platforms.

The FIR also mentioned that Anvesh made generalised anti-national comments and misrepresented facts, which could incite public unrest. Senior IAS officers and the managing director of Hyderabad Metro Rail, NVS Reddy, were also allegedly defamed in the video without any proof.

Police officials say Anvesh frequently travels abroad and has not yet been able to trace his current location. “The investigation is at an early stage. We are working to contact him,” a cybercrime officer was quoted by TOI.