Kerala HC grants pre-arrest bail to YouTuber

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A screenshot of YouTuber Mohammed Nihad alias ‘Thoppi’ from a video on his YouTube channel. | Photo Credit: YouTube/@mrzthoppi

The Kerala High Court has granted pre-arrest bail to YouTuber Muhammed Nihad, alias Thoppi, who was booked for conducting a livestream on the YouTube channel “Mrz Shameer” and allegedly publishing offensive content about the complainant.

Justice A. Badharudeen reviewed the video and found that there was nothing to show that Mr. Nihad had directly spoken any obscene words or made sexually coloured remarks against the victim. The court held that Mr. Nihad’s custodial interrogation was unnecessary in view of the allegations.

The prosecution had alleged before the District and Sessions Court, Manjeri, that the accused had conducted the livestream for four hours and deliberately displayed photographs and videos of the complainant without her consent, made obscene, sexually coloured and defamatory remarks, intruded on her privacy and insulted her modesty.

The court granted pre-arrest bail subject to conditions, including the execution of a bond for ₹1 lakh with two solvent sureties, full cooperation with the investigation, weekly appearance before the investigating officer and not leaving the State without the permission of the trial court.

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