Police book a 21-year old Youtuber over an edited video involving Gujarat Chief Minister

Japan K Pathak

Gandhinagar: Surendranagar ‘A’ division police has booked a 21-year old Youtuber under IPC sections 469 and 500 and IT act section 66(c) for defaming the Chief Minister and committing act of harming his prestige.

According to complaint filed by Sub Inspector YS Chudasama, accused Milind Batukbhai Patadiya (Darji) edited the State Chief Minister’s video clip in order to defame him and harm his prestige in dishonest manner and added his own Gujarati talk to the original video.

Milind, a small time Youtuber apparently attempted to make a ‘funny’ video by using Chief Minister Rupani’s video clip which is in public domain. Patadiya edited the Chief Minister’s video clip and mixed it with own talk video. He uploaded it on his Youtube channel ‘Zalawadi man’ under the title of ‘Saheb Sathe Vaat’, in a story-plot, as if the Chief Minister was speaking to him.

Police has accused Milind of harming the prestige of position and glory of honorable Chief Minister as per a complaint.

Accused Milind lives near P&T quarters on Dalmil road in Surendranagar. His February 2021 video that has attracted police complaint has been watched for over 15,000 times and attracted 191 likes. Milind’s youtube channel is a small one with little over 200 subscribers.

Sections involved: Defamation and IT Act provisions

Section 469 in The Indian Penal Code
469. Forgery for purpose of harming reputation.—Whoever commits forgery, 1[intending that the document or electronic record forged] shall harm the repu­tation of any party, or knowing that it is likely to be used for that purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Section 500 in The Indian Penal Code
500. Punishment for defamation.—Whoever defames another shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Section 66C in The Information Technology Act, 2000
74 [ 66C Punishment for identity theft. -Whoever, fraudulently or dishonestly make use of the electronic signature, password or any other unique identification feature of any other person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine with may extend to rupees one lakh. ]

DeshGujarat