YouTuber MD Sameer appears before Belthangady police in Dharmasthala defamation case

Mangaluru: Youtuber Sameer MD has appeared before the Belthangady police in connection with the charges against him related to online content on the Dharmasthala mass burial case, on Sunday.

The police had issued two notices asking Sameer, a resident of Ballari town, to appear before the investigation officer in connection with a suo-motu case registered against him by the Dharmasthala police on July 12. He arrived at the station along with his advocates. He was questioned by Belthangady Circle Inspector Nagesh Kadri till evening. He has been asked to come for further inquiry on Monday.

The Dharmasthala police had registered a case against him for spreading false information through an AI-generated video related to the ongoing Dharmasthala mass burial case. Sameer had uploaded a 23 minute AI video on his `Dooth YouTube channel. Sub Inspector Samarth Ganigar in his complaint to Dharmasthala police on July 12, said Sameer in the video had made exaggerated claims of thousands being raped and buried in Dharmasthala. The details mentioned in the video had also revealed the identity of the complainant witness who was given protection under Witness Protection Scheme. Based on the complaint, a case was registered under section 240 ,192, 353 (1) (b) of the BNS.

On August 21, police had decided to arrest Sameer after he had failed to respond to summons issued in connection with the case. However, Sameer had obtained anticipatory bail from Dakshina Kannada Principal District and Sessions Court on the same day. While granting anticipatory bail, the Judge directed Sameer not to abscond, tamper with prosecution witness by threats and was also asked to appear before the investigation officer and cooperate in the investigation of the case.