Karnataka HC Stays FIR Against YouTuber for His Video on Soujanya Murder Case
Bengaluru, Mar 11 (PTI): The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday stayed the First Information Report against YouTuber Sameer M D, who was booked for his investigative video on the Soujanya rape and murder case.
Soujanya (17), a second-year Pre-University student of the Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College was allegedly raped and murder on October 9, 2012.
Justice Hemant Chandangoudar granted interim relief to the petitioner by staying the FIR, which was registered at Cowl Bazaar Police Station in Ballari under Section 299 (hurting religious sentiments) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Sameer had posted a video titled "Dharmasthala Soujanya Case" on his YouTube channel ‘Dhootha: Sameer MD', which has garnered over 18 million views.
The video peeps into several criminal cases spanning decades in the Dharmasthala region, with particular focus on the 2012 rape and murder of Soujanya, the wrongful conviction and subsequent acquittal of Santosh Rao, and patterns of alleged influence in multiple criminal investigations.
On March 5, 2025, Cowl Bazaar police filed a case on its own stating that the video was religious sentiments of people towards Dharmasthala and its religious leaders.
Advocate on Record A Velan, who led the arguments for Sameer, argued that the FIR was a gross abuse of the legal process and violated the petitioner's fundamental right to expression.
Velan highlighted the dangerous precedent that would be set if the police interpretation of Section 299 BNS were allowed to stand.
Soujanya case was widely discussed case in Karnataka, especially in the coastal region of the state. Her body was found near the Nethravathi river and her hands were tied to a tree with her shawl.
The police charged Santhosh Rao with the murder but he was acquitted by a Bengaluru Sessions Court on June 16, 2023. Throughout the legal proceedings, Soujanya's family maintained that Santhosh Rao had been wrongfully implicated, alleging flaws in the investigation and asserting that Veerendra Heggade, a religious leader from Dharmasthala, shielded the actual perpetrators.
The acquittal prompted public protests and renewed calls for a fresh inquiry into the case.
After 11 years of investigation, a Bengaluru court acquitted the lone accused, Santhosh Rao, of all the charges in 2023.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
"Sir, aapne galat kiya” Papparazi confronts Virat Kohli at Mumbai Airport
Mumbai, May 14: Virat Kohli’s sudden decision to retire from Test cricket has taken the cricketing world by surprise, and the reaction on the ground was evident when the former Indian captain was spotted at the Mumbai airport on Tuesday. Just a day after announcing his retirement through an Instagram post, Kohli was met with emotional responses and probing questions from fans and photographers.
As he walked out of the arrival gate, a swarm of paparazzi gathered to capture Kohli’s first public appearance following the announcement. While the cricketer maintained his composure, the emotional reactions of the photographers highlighted the impact his decision had on fans.
One paparazzo was heard telling him, "Sir, aapne galat kiya. Aapne retirement kyun liya? Ab hum cricket hi nahi dekhenge. Aapke liye main Test cricket dekhta tha" — expressing disappointment and saying he would no longer watch the game without Kohli.
Kohli, taken aback by the comment, appeared visibly surprised. His reaction, coupled with the emotional exchanges, quickly went viral on social media. Amid the frenzy, Kohli politely asked photographers to give space to his wife, actress Anushka Sharma, so she could get into their car comfortably.
As the couple prepared to leave the airport, the paparazzo added, "Virat Sir, hum cricket nahi dekhenge, wait karenge. ODI dekhenge. Is baar RCB jeetega," reflecting hope and support for Kohli’s continued presence in limited-overs cricket and the ongoing IPL season.
Kohli’s Test retirement has come just ahead of India’s squad announcement for the five-match home Test series against England, starting June 20. With 123 Tests to his name, Kohli bows out as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer and one of the most celebrated batters in red-ball cricket. He also holds the record as India’s most successful Test captain, having led the team in 68 matches and winning 40 of them.
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma at Mumbai Airport ✈️
— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) May 13, 2025
- Paps to Virat : Virat sir why did you take retirement? We will not see cricket any more! 💔 pic.twitter.com/rXY8k4iqN4
