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The Indian Express

‘I had a stalker for 6 years’: Mandana Karimi says someone is trying to ‘destroy my name’

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Nawaz Javed Kochra

September 2, 2026
‘I had a stalker for 6 years’: Mandana Karimi says someone is trying to ‘destroy my name’

Former Bigg Boss contestant Mandana Karimi has publicly addressed a six-year campaign of cyberbullying and stalking that has persisted despite her relocation to Dubai. She reports that malicious actors are targeting her professional network with defamatory claims and extortion attempts.

The Persistent Shadow of Cyber-Harassment

Former Bigg Boss contestant Mandana Karimi has brought the harrowing reality of long-term digital harassment into the spotlight. Despite relocating from India to Dubai in May, Karimi reports that the cycle of cyberbullying and stalking, which she claims began following her separation from businessman Gaurav Gupta, has continued unabated. This situation highlights the borderless nature of modern digital threats, where physical relocation no longer guarantees safety from those intent on systematic character assassination.

The Anatomy of Digital Stalking

According to Karimi’s recent disclosures, the harassment is not merely limited to personal insults but has evolved into a calculated effort to jeopardize her professional livelihood. By targeting producers and co-stars with emails containing defamatory allegations and demands for money, the perpetrators are weaponizing the digital sphere to isolate the victim professionally. This tactic is a hallmark of sophisticated cyber-harassment, where the goal is to create a hostile environment that forces the victim out of their industry by eroding trust and reputation.

Psychological and Professional Implications

The psychological toll of enduring six years of stalking cannot be overstated. For a public figure, the intersection of personal life and career makes them particularly vulnerable to such campaigns. Karimi’s decision to document these events via Instagram serves as both a cry for help and a defensive measure to reclaim her narrative. By speaking out, she is attempting to preemptively debunk the misinformation being sent to her professional network, effectively putting her industry peers on notice regarding the fraudulent nature of these communications.

The Challenge of Jurisdictional Boundaries

Karimi’s case underscores the complexities of international cyber law. While she has moved to Dubai, the digital trail of her tormentors remains active, illustrating the difficulty of enforcing legal protections across borders. When harassment originates in one jurisdiction and targets an individual in another, victims often find themselves in a legal gray area, struggling to gain traction with local authorities who may lack the jurisdiction or resources to track down anonymous digital actors.

Future Trends in Digital Safety

As digital stalking becomes increasingly prevalent, the entertainment industry must grapple with how to better protect its members. The weaponization of email and social media to extort and defame is a growing threat that requires more robust verification processes for professional communications. Future trends suggest that high-profile individuals will likely need to invest in dedicated digital security teams to monitor and mitigate the spread of defamatory content before it reaches key stakeholders in their professional circles.

Concluding Thoughts

Mandana Karimi’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder that the digital age has provided tools that can be easily abused by those seeking to cause harm. Her experience is not isolated but rather part of a broader, concerning trend of online vitriol that targets the livelihood and mental well-being of individuals. Until there are more effective, globally recognized mechanisms for curbing such persistent cyber-stalking, victims like Karimi will continue to face the daunting task of fighting to protect their names and careers from the shadows of the internet.

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