The New Indian Express ·
Economy, business and finance
TN Journalist Damodharan Prakash held for posting defamatory video about woman YouTube host
CHENNAI: The Adambakkam police on Wednesday arrested Damodharan Prakash, a journalist and a YouTuber, for allegedly uploading a defamatory video making false and objectionable claims about a woman YouTuber.
As per the complaint, Prakash, who works with a Tamil weekly allegedly released the video with an objectionable title on the ‘King 24 X 7’ YouTube channel in January this year.
The video allegedly displayed the woman’s photographs and made false, defamatory and objectionable claims about her personal life. Although the video was uploaded in January, the woman lodged a complaint at the commissioner’s office in Vepery only in June, police sources told TNIE.
“When the complaint was received, it was forwarded to the Adambakkam police. Following a detailed inquiry, we have initiated the arrest now,” a police officer said. The 58-year-old has been booked under relevant sections of the BNS, IT Act and TN Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.
Recently, Prakash had made similar defamatory remarks against Chief Minister Vijay, attributing medical reasons for his travel overseas.
The Chennai Press Club, in a statement, questioned the eight-month delay between filing of the complaint and police action. It said while legal action could be taken over the allegations, arresting him without prior inquiry or seeking his explanation raised questions. The Press Club has urged the government to release him immediately.