The Central Crime Branch of Avadi Police Commissionerate has arrested YouTuber S. Karthick Gopinath of Muthapudupet on the charge of collecting money for renovating a temple in Perambalur district, on Monday. The accused, who runs a YouTube channel named Elaya Bharatham, was produced before a judicial magistrate and sent to prison.
A senior police official said a complaint was filed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department Executive Officer of Arulmigu Madhura Kaliamman temple in Siruvachur, Perambalur. It had been stated that the 32-year-old Gopinath of Sabari Nagar, Muthapudupet, had asked the public to donate funds through a fund-raiser site for renovating the statues in the temple. It was done without the permission from the HR and CE Department. He had also used the amount for his personal purpose.
After filing an FIR under two sections of the Indian Penal Code, the CCB police arrested the accused.
‘Intimidatory tactics’
State BJP president K. Annamalai criticised the YouTuber’s arrest, terming it as ‘intimidatory tactics’ of the DMK. “The arrest of @karthikgnath on completely trumped [up] charges is not only condemnable but also shows the level to which this government will go to [to] silence an uncomfortable voice,” he tweeted.
Mr. Annamalai said he had assured Mr. Gopinath’s family that the party would “stand behind this nationalist” and extend legal help.
