Actress Sangeetha Bhat harassed, asked to share nude picture on Instagram

Sangeetha Bhat has become the latest victim of sexual harassment on social media. A miscreant has shockingly asked her to share a nude picture.

"I get msgs from this account saying send me bikini pics ,actress are b****s so show me Ur naked pics . ...I have blocked this and reported it to Instagram this person with the same name is on FB too....I'm just wondering how can some girl msg another girl this....I don't know if that profile is real or fake but someone should take an action this is not how actors should be treated...we are human beings too... [sic]" Sangeetha Bhat shared her plight on her Instagram account.

Social media is a double-edged sword for celebrities. While on one hand, they get an opportunity to interact with their fans, they also become subject to criticism and abuses from their haters. In the recent history, many actresses including Amala Paul and Sheethal Shetty had landed in similar situations.

How should a woman respond to sexual harassment?

The first thing to do is to inform the cyber police and follow it up with a formal complaint without delay. One should provide all the details to solidify the case along with printouts of objectionable messages received online.

Laws to help women

Earlier, cases related to online harassment were filed under Section 66A of the Information Technology Act (sending offensive message through a computer or any other new-age devices that includes mobile phone and tablet). If convicted, the accused may get a prison term of up to three years and fine.

However, on March 24, 2015, the Supreme Court struck down Section 66A of the Information and Technology Act, which allowed the police to arrest people for posting "offensive content" on the Internet. The apex court said the provision directly affected the right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by the Constitution of India.

Nonetheless, offences against women can be booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 354D (stalking).

Coming to Sangeetha Bhat, the actress will be next seen in Dayavittu Gamanisi. She is also part of Arvind Shastry's untitled flick and KM Chaitanya's next flick with Chiranjeevi Sarja and Sruthi Hariharan.