A popular Kannada YouTuber, Sameer MD, has been booked by the Dakshina Kannada police for allegedly spreading misinformation through an AI-generated video concerning the Dharmasthala mass burial case. The case revolves around a complaint filed by a former sanitation worker who claims to have been forced to secretly bury the bodies of sexual assault victims in the forests around Dharmasthala.
The 23-minute-52-second video, titled "Who Are Serial K! llrs of Dharmasthala?", was uploaded to YouTube and has garnered over 3.1 million views. Police have stated that the video contains fabricated details that go beyond the official complaint filed by the whistleblower and the sworn statement he gave in court. Authorities believe the video was created using artificial intelligence tools to make it appear credible.
According to the Dakshina Kannada District Superintendent of Police, the AI-generated video allegedly misrepresented facts by omitting statements made by witnesses and complainants in court and instead spread false and imaginary content. Police reports also suggest that the video incites public unrest. The video also allegedly included additional unverified information about the complainant.
An FIR has been registered against Sameer MD at Dharmasthala police station under sections 192, 240, and 353(1)(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These sections relate to wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause a riot and giving false information regarding an offense.
The complainant in the mass burial case claims to have worked as a sanitation worker in Dharmasthala between 1995 and 2014. During this time, he alleges that numerous murders took place, and he was forced to dispose of the bodies under threat. He claims that influential people are linked to these murders and has offered to disclose all details, including the identities of those responsible and the locations of the buried bodies, provided he receives protection under the Witness Protection Scheme.
In addition to the case against Sameer MD, Belthangady police have registered a case against a Facebook account named 'Praveen Lobo'. The account allegedly circulated obscene messages related to the fight for justice in the Soujanya rape case. A case has been registered under Section 296 of the BNS based on a complaint filed by a resident of Koukradi.
Police have issued a warning against the creation and dissemination of misleading or AI-generated content, especially on sensitive legal matters. A senior police officer stated that spreading misinformation using digital tools like AI to provoke public unrest is a serious offense and is being treated with urgency.
The police investigation into the Dharmasthala mass burial case is ongoing. The Dakshina Kannada police are considering whether to change the investigating officer or hand over the probe to a Special Investigation Team (SIT). They also plan to seek clarification from the complainant regarding demands for an SIT investigation.
