Sameer MD’s Dharmasthala Videos: Two Cases, One Legal Tightrope

Dharmastala Burial Video Sparks Outrage and Legal Action

Popular Kannada YouTuber Sameer MD released a video titled “Who Are Serial K!llrs of Dharmasthala?” on July 12. The nearly 24-minute video quickly went viral, amassing over 4 million views. In it, a former sanitation worker alleges that he was forced to secretly bury sexual assault victims in Dharmasthala. The man claims he fled years ago but recently returned, driven by guilt, and filed a complaint with the police.

Authorities, however, found the video misleading. They said it included false and exaggerated details beyond the worker’s official complaint and court testimony. Police also said Sameer used AI tools to make the content look credible. As a result, they registered a case against him under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for spreading false information and provoking unrest.

Dharmastala Burial Video: Court Declines Immediate Ban on

Nischal D, nephew of Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade, filed a defamation suit against Sameer MD. He asked the court to block Sameer’s video immediately. Nischal accused Sameer of circulating morphed images and targeting his family.

However, the Bengaluru civil court refused to grant the ex-parte temporary injunction. The judge said the evidence, including two faceless men shown in the video, was insufficient to prove a direct link to Nischal. The court emphasized the importance of hearing both sides before issuing such a significant order. It also noted that an earlier injunction against Sameer for a different video remains in effect.

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Two Cases, One Creator Under Fire

Sameer faces legal pressure on two fronts. The criminal case focuses on the burial video’s alleged falsehoods and incitement. Meanwhile, the civil defamation suit stems from his earlier video on the 2012 Sowjanya rape and murder case, which also involves Dharmasthala representatives.

The next hearing for the civil suit is scheduled for August 6, 2025. Legal experts see the court’s refusal for a quick ban as a vital affirmation of natural justice and free speech in digital content disputes.