Thu Mar 06 17:18:55 UTC 2025: **Karnataka YouTuber Gets Stay on Police Notice Over Dharmasthala Soujanya Case Video**
Bengaluru, March 6, 2025 – The Karnataka High Court granted a stay order on Thursday preventing Ballari police from investigating Sameer M.D., a YouTuber who operates the Kannada channel “Dhoota: Sameer MD.” The stay, effective until March 12, pertains to a notice demanding Sameer’s presence for questioning related to a video discussing the 2012 Soujanya murder case in Dharmasthala.
The police issued the notice on March 5, following a suo motu FIR registered under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The FIR alleges the video’s content insulted the religious feelings of the public by making averments about Dharmasthala and its managing family.
However, Sameer’s petition argues the video contains only details of court judgments in the Soujanya case, public opinion, and concerns about investigative shortcomings. He denies publishing copyrighted material, defamatory content, or hate speech. The court noted the police failed to provide Sameer with a copy of the FIR alongside the notice, a violation of a December 30, 2024 court directive. Justice M. Nagaprasanna’s interim order highlights this procedural lapse. Sameer claims police attempted his arrest on March 5 before resorting to the notice.
First Piper 