Geethanjali suicide: TDP local leader Rambabu Pasumarthi arrested in Vijayawada for online harassment

Tenali: Tenali police took into custody local TDP leader Rambabu Pasumarthi in connection with the suicide of a 32-year-old woman.

Geethanjali, a resident of Sharab Bazar in Tenali, ended her life after she faced severe trolling on social media on March 11.

On Thursday, the police went to his residence in Vijayawada and arrested him for making abusive comments on his social media handle against Geethanjali.

A screenshot of abusive comments made by Rambabu on X went viral on social media.

Meanwhile, Rambabu's family alleged that he was taken into custody without any notice. Police were denied entry by him and his family members refused. Rambabu said he doesn't know anything about the comments made on Geethanjali.

Geethanjali, a mother of two children, came into the spotlight after she was recognized as a beneficiary of the Jagananna Housing Scheme. She was given a plot for free under the scheme during a public program. Later Geethanjali praised Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy’s government on camera for turning her her dream into a reality.

“I haven’t paid any money for the plot. Instead, I received benefits such as Amma Vodi, a pension for my father-in-law, financial assistance through YSR Cheyutha for my mother-in-law, and now, my dream house,” said Geethanjali in the video speaking to a media outlet.

Later, she was subjected to severe trolling and comments on social media from many pages. On March 7, at around 11 am, Geethanjali attempted suicide by jumping in front of the train. She was severely injured and shifted to a hospital. However, she succumbed to her wounds on March 11.

The investigation by the police revealed that constant online trolling made her upset. Unable to cope with the mental trauma, she took the extreme step.

Further, police are also verifying other social media handles that posted comments against Geethanjali.

More details on this case are awaited.