The State of Tamil Nadu has accused YouTuber Manish Kashyap of fabricating videos and using them to spread false information and incite communal hatred. In response to an order from the Chief Justice of India and Justice PS Narasimha, the State filed an affidavit explaining why the National Security Act (NSA) had been invoked against Kashyap.
The affidavit stated that Kashyap had altered videos and used them as background clips while falsely claiming that migrants were beaten and killed in Tamil Nadu. It was also alleged that during his visit to the state, Kashyap posed rhetorical questions to migrants to create discord and incite hatred.
Kashyap had filed a petition requesting the consolidation of the FIRs filed against him in Bihar and Tamil Nadu, as well as provisional anticipatory bail. He is currently detained by the Tamil Nadu Police for sharing a hoax video depicting an attack on Bihari migrant workers.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had requested responses to Kashyap’s petition from the Central government and the states of Bihar and Tamil Nadu and indicated its intention to transfer all cases to Bihar.
“We will issue notice on quashing of prosecution. But we will transfer all the case to Bihar,” the Bench said.
At a hearing, the Madras High Court ordered Manish Kashyap to remain in the Madurai Central Jail until the next hearing.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the government of Tamil Nadu, stated that Kashyap had 60 million followers and had uploaded completely false videos online. Sibal also alleged that Kashyap had visited Tamil Nadu and fabricated information.
