TNI Bureau: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged defamatory content aired by a Telugu news channel has arrested two journalists in Hyderabad, triggering sharp reactions from Opposition parties.

The case was registered by the Hyderabad Central Crime Station (CCS) on January 10 following a complaint lodged by Jayesh Ranjan, secretary of the IAS Officers’ Association. The complaint alleged that certain television channels broadcast content defaming a woman IAS officer by making unsubstantiated claims about her personal life and linking her to a minister in the Revanth Reddy government.

The SIT took into custody Donthu Ramesh, input editor of NTV, from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday night while he was preparing to travel abroad. Another journalist, Sudheer, was detained from his residence in Hyderabad.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar said the journalists were questioned in connection with a case involving insult and humiliation of a woman IAS officer. He added that spreading false information and indulging in character assassination, particularly of a woman officer, was unacceptable.

Denying the allegations, Donthu Ramesh termed the arrest illegal and said he would challenge it in court. Sudheer also maintained that he was not responsible for the allegedly defamatory content.

The arrests drew criticism from Opposition parties in Telangana. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) accused the Congress-led state government of targeting journalists, while YSR Congress Party chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy also condemned the action.