The disgusting threats sent to Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli’s infant daughter last week came from a man in Hyderabad, the police told today. The 23-year-old was arrested by a Mumbai police team today from the city.
The rape threats were followed after India failed to make a mark in the ongoing T20 World Cup series. The trolls increased after the team lost to Pakistan by 10 wickets.
The accused, Ramnagesh Srinivas Akubathini, was arrested and taken to Mumbai after investigations showed the location of the mobile phone from which the comments were made. The probe had accelerated as there was national outrage over rape threats being sent to a mere nine months old baby.
Amid the investigations, Ramnagesh had allegedly changed his Twitter account and pretended to be a citizen of Pakistan to avoid getting caught. However, the screenshots of the threats led the police to him this afternoon.
ALSO READ:After Virat Kohli’s daughter receives rape threats, Delhi women commission seeks immediate probe
A software engineer, the accused has also previously worked for a food delivery app, according to police sources.
The probe had accelerated as there was national outrage over rape threats being sent to a mere nine months old baby. Calling it “very shameful”, the Chairperson of the committee, Swati Maliwal, had also lashed out at the unidentified people who passed the terrible comments against Virat Kohli and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma’s daughter.
The DCW chief had urged the city police to take immediate action in the case and share the details of the investigation. In her tweet, she had reminded how the team has won accolades in the past for India yet is being treated in this way after losing just one match.
“The team has made us proud thousands of times, why this silliness in defeat,” Ms Maliwal had shared on Twitter.
The DCW had further instructed to send a detailed report by November 8th, “If no accused has been arrested, please provide the details of steps taken by Delhi Police to arrest the accused.”
Also stepping in to back Virat Kohli was Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He extended his support through a tweet. “Dear Virat, These people are filled with hate because nobody gives them any love. Forgive them. Protect the team,” he posted.
This wasn’t the first time when Virat Kohli was threatened. The Indian cricket captain faced similar remarks after he supported Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami as some social media users trolled him for his religion following the defeat.
“Attacking someone over their religion is the most pathetic thing one can do as a human. That is a very sacred and personal thing. People take out their frustration because they have no understanding of what we do,” Virat Kohli said during a pre-match press conference.
He sent out a strong message to the trollers, calling them “spineless”. Reiterating his support, Mr Kohli had said, “We stand by him 200 per cent. Our brotherhood in the team cannot be shaken.”
