Karnataka High Court Stays FIR Against YouTuber Sameer MD Over Video On Dharmasthala Mass Burial

The Karnataka High Court has stayed the criminal proceedings initiated against Youtuber Sameer M.D, who runs Dootha YouTube channel, over a video he made on the Dharmasthala mass burial case.

The single judge bench of Justice M. Nagaprasanna observed ordered, “…Learned Additional SPP to accept notice and file objections after watching the video. Further investigation shall remain stayed until next date. List the Matter on 22nd”.

The counsel appearing for the YouTuber, Adv. Akshatha Shetty K, submitted that Sameer was merely investigating the Dharmasthala murders and sharing his findings with his YouTube viewers. All the state and national agencies have covered on the same issue, submitted the counsel.

The government advocate however submitted that the accused had created AI visuals of bodies alleged to have been sexually assaulted and buried in Dharmasthala. The YouTuber has over five cases registered against him and he has created ill will and hatred in the community through his videos, further submitted the state's counsel.

“This should completely get closed… Unnecessarily don't drag on these proceedings..”, the court orally remarked during the hearing.

The plea was filed to quash the FIR alleging offences under Sections 240[Giving false information respecting an offence committed)],192[ (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot], and 353(1)(b) [Statements conducing to public mischief] of BNS 2023.

According to the FIR registered in Dharmasthala Police Station, Sameer has allegedly given falsified information about the burials and provoked the public to create unrest in the name of the controversy.

Earlier, the High Court had stayed (till March 19), further proceedings in a similar criminal case registered against Sameer. There too, he was accused of hurting religious sentiments by airing a video in which he discussed a 2012 rape and murder case, one of the alleged murders in Dharmasthala.

Case Title: Sameer M D AND State of Karnataka

Case No: Crl P 3565/ 2026