Actor-TV host Pradeep Machiraju reacts to rape allegations against him: I also need justice here

Renowned anchor-actor Pradeep Machiraju was mired in controversy after a 25-year-old young woman, hailing from Miryalaguda, reportedly lodged a police complaint in Panjagutta police station against him and 138 others on charges of rape and sexual harassment.

In one of her recent video interviews, the victim accused Pradeep and a few of his friends of physically abusing and raping her in 2014. Pradeep reacted to the allegations in an exclusive chat with ETimes-TV. Excerpts...

(By SriRaam Chelluri)

(Photo: YouTube)

Reacting to the accusations, Pradeep said, “I was taken aback watching the video and went numb when she took my name. I don’t know her in any way and moreover, I was busy launching my chat show Koncham Touch lo Unte Chepta in 2014.”

Usually, I try to ignore negativity but as you know, rumours spread faster than the truth. My family, friends and well-wishers are very traumatized by these baseless allegations against me. This is nothing but a motivated character assassination campaign and mental rape. I felt it was high time I came out and spoke up for myself before these rumours affected me and my dear ones any more.

(Photo: YouTube)

I’ve a sister, too, and I’ve grown up in a family where women are immensely respected in every which way. I can empathize with her for whatever happened and I pray for justice for her but it looks like some motivated forces are operating behind her. I don’t know their true motive behind this smear campaign but I don’t want to stay calm any more.

(Photo: YouTube)

All my shows are family entertainers which earned me great respect among women. It took more than a decade of hard work to be wherever I’m now and I can’t let someone ruin it. Whoever believed her version just because she put out a video, they have to believe my version in my video also.

Nobody has the time and patience to wait for the truth to surface. By then, these fake news reports and videos on YouTube with sensationalized and absurd thumbnails are trying to assassin my character. This has been the case all these years but this time, I chose to speak up and fight because this is an extremely sensitive case and I also need justice here.

(Photo: YouTube)

I’m exploring all the legal options available to me and going to report against all those who are running this smear campaign against me. We are trying to trace some fake accounts that are spreading fake news with zero authenticity and accountability. Many of my female colleagues have been fighting cyberbullying and online abuse for a long while. There are stringent laws and the cyber crime department in our state has been active and dynamic but there is no fear of punishment for these keyboard warriors.

I know this is a never ending battle. That is why I think people have to be more responsible especially on social media before commenting on any image or video. You never know how your words can affect the person reading them. I only request everyone to wait for the truth to surface and not spread rumours or fake news on anyone.

(Photo: YouTube)