The controversy surrounding Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna has taken a legal turn, with Gachibowli police registering a case against seven social media accounts over alleged online harassment and defamatory posts targeting the actor and his family. The development comes after the couple faced intense online criticism following their appearance on Koffee With Karan. According to the complaint filed by Vijay's team, the accounts allegedly circulated manipulated photographs, abusive comments, threatening content and objectionable statements. The case marks a significant escalation in the dispute, which has moved beyond social media debates into a formal police investigation.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the complaint was filed on October 5, 2026, by P. Nishanth, a 36-year-old social media manager working with Vijay Deverakonda. He alleged that several accounts on X, formerly Twitter, had repeatedly published and shared content intended to target the actor. The complaint also claimed that Vijay's family members and relatives were subjected to obscene and humiliating references involving their personal lives. Nishanth reportedly preserved screenshots, post links, photographs, videos and other digital material and submitted the evidence to the police for examination.
Following the complaint, Gachibowli police registered a case under Sections 351(2), 352, 356(1) and 294(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 67 of the Information Technology Act. The case has been registered as Crime No. 1792/2026, with the investigation entrusted to DI Naresh. A police official confirmed that a written complaint had been received from the actor's team and that an investigation was underway. The allegations against the accounts will need to be examined through the legal process, and the registration of a case does not by itself establish the guilt of those involved.
Separately, Vijay and Rashmika's team has reportedly approached Hyderabad Cyber Crime authorities over allegedly misleading online narratives, fabricated material, manipulated screenshots, impersonation and targeted harassment. The team has sought an impartial investigation and submitted relevant digital links and supporting evidence for scrutiny. In a statement, the actor's team said that each identified instance of publishing, reposting or amplifying potentially unlawful content could be examined on its own merits. It also indicated that appropriate legal remedies would be pursued wherever warranted, in accordance with due process. An official confirmation from the cybercrime authorities regarding this separate complaint was still awaited in the account provided.
Amid the controversy, Vijay took to Instagram to express his support for his wife in a strongly worded post. Calling Rashmika his best friend and one of the most beautiful parts of his life, the actor insisted that they were both happy and blessed together. He also made it clear that he would stand by her despite the criticism directed at their relationship. Rashmika responded with a statement of her own, describing the online reaction as an angry mob rather than a healthy exchange of opinions. She defended the relationship and spoke about Vijay's support during difficult moments, including health problems, anxiety and emotional distress. Her message urged people to stop worrying about their marriage and allow them to live happily.
The backlash began after the couple's appearance on Koffee With Karan generated widespread discussion online. Several clips from the episode went viral, particularly Vijay's remark that Rashmika had proposed to him nearly 100 times before he agreed to marry her. While some viewers treated the exchange as playful relationship banter, others criticised the actor and labelled him a “red flag”. The couple, who married in Udaipur on February 26, 2026, have since faced sharply divided reactions from social media users. With the police now examining allegations of harassment and defamatory content, the focus has shifted towards the distinction between expressing an opinion and potentially unlawful online conduct. The investigation will determine the next steps in the case.