Recently, Konatham criticised the state government, targeting Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Congress. He condemned cases against journalists, stating Telangana "is not a dictatorship" and accusing the government of suppressing free speech
Published Nov 18, 2024 | 6:47 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 18, 2024 | 6:47 PM
Dileep Konatham
Dileep Konatham, the former Digital Media Director of Telangana and a prominent member of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), was arrested by the Hyderabad Cybercrimes Department on 18 November following court orders.
The arrest is linked to his alleged involvement in spreading misinformation related to a communal clash in Jainoor, Kumuram Bheem Asifabad district, earlier this year.
Konatham, who had previously been granted relief by the court, was summoned by the Cybercrime Department for questioning.
The Cyber Crimes Department has arrested @KonathamDileep, former Digital Media Director of Telangana, following court orders. He was taken for a medical examination after his arrest.
Dileep, who had previously been granted relief by the court, appeared before the Cyber Crimes… pic.twitter.com/QcXej8W1z0
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) November 18, 2024
His arrest comes after a video related to the September 2023 1clash between two communities was shared from another X handle.
The video, which depicted the aftermath of the clashes over an alleged rape and murder attempt, was reportedly reposted by Konatham, prompting police action.
The Cybercrimes police had earlier detained Konatham on 6 September for his involvement in circulating the video and related images of the Jainoor clashes.
He was questioned for over 12 hours before being released, with instructions to appear whenever summoned. The police had then registered a suo motu case against him for disseminating content that allegedly fuelled communal tensions.
Though the precise charges for his latest arrest remain unclear, sources suggest it is related to his earlier reposting of the controversial video.
In recent days, Konatham had made public posts criticising the state government, particularly targeting Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and the Congress party.
He also condemned the filing of cases against journalists, stating that Telangana was “not a dictatorship” and accusing the government of suppressing free speech.
In a post on X, Konatham wrote, “Telangana is not a dictatorship to file cases on journalists for writing investigative news articles. Hope @RahulGandhi takes note of the draconian government Revanth Reddy is running in Telangana!”
He further urged his followers to post a news article in protest of the case filed against journalist Shankar, calling on BRS social media warriors to amplify his message.
Telangana is not a dictatorship to file cases on journalists for writing such investigative news articles.
Hope @RahulGandhi takes note of the draconian government Revanth Reddy is running in Telangana!
As a protest on filing case against @shankar_journo Request all BRS Social… pic.twitter.com/LmDYIIwSuo
— Konatham Dileep (@KonathamDileep) November 17, 2024
The arrest has sparked strong reactions from political leaders, with BRS leader and former minister T Harish Rao condemning the action.
Rao called the arrest “undemocratic and vindictive,” accusing the Congress government of targeting critics for political reasons.
“It is a shame to harass questioners with illegal cases. We strongly condemn the arrest of Telangana activist Konatham Dileep and demand his immediate release,” Rao said in a statement.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
