Following an intensive multi-state tracking operation, the Social Media Investigation Wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB), Greater Chennai Police, has arrested independent journalist and YouTuber Mukhtar Ahmed. The 48-year-old digital creator, who had been on the run for nearly a week, was apprehended by cyber crime sleuths in Mandya, Karnataka, before being brought back to Chennai to face judicial remand.
The immediate catalyst for the arrest was a formal criminal complaint lodged on June 3 by prominent sports racer and BJP functionary Alisha Abdulla. According to police officials, Ahmed had uploaded an interview on his digital platform that contained highly explicit, vulgar, and sexually colored remarks targeting Abdulla and her newborn twin children. The complainant stated that the digital broadcast severely compromised her privacy and struck a blow against her personal dignity.
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The Controversial Interview Chain
Investigators revealed that the offensive content was broadcast during an interview recorded with Tiruchi Suriyaa, the son of DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva. The video, which was uploaded to Ahmed’s YouTube channel “MY INDIA 24X7” on May 22, quickly generated intense political and social media backlash across Tamil Nadu due to its defamatory nature.
Enforcement agencies had already made their first breakthrough in the case on June 4 with the arrest of Tiruchi Suriyaa. Realizing that law enforcement teams were closing in, Ahmed went into hiding, evading localized surveillance loops by crossing state borders into Karnataka. This prompted the Chennai Central Crime Branch to form dedicated technical tracking teams to monitor his digital footprint and physical relocation patterns.
Defense Contentions Before the High Court
Prior to his apprehension, Ahmed had moved a couple of anticipatory bail petitions before the Madras High Court. State Public Prosecutor R. John Sathyan formally informed Justice C. Kumarappan that the cyber crime division had executed the arrest in connection with two separate criminal cases involving character assassination and targeted online harassment. Following this official submission, the High Court closed the advance bail petitions.
In his legal filings, Ahmed argued that he was a mainstream journalist who had transitioned into independent digital content creation to bypass political biases in traditional media networks. He claimed that the controversial video had been uploaded by his “media associates” without his explicit consent or vetting while he was traveling with his family. Furthermore, he alleged that the complaint filed against him was a “bogus” attempt by the complainant to seek political spotlight and publicity.
More Than 20 Defamation Complaints Pending
The police presented a contrasting view of the YouTuber’s online activities to the court. An analysis of his digital profiles indicated a pattern of deliberate character assassination and persistent dissemination of unlawful content under the guise of independent journalism.
According to Greater Chennai Police records, Ahmed is a habitual offender with at least two prior criminal cases pending against him. Furthermore, a preliminary background check revealed that more than 20 individual complaints have been lodged across various police stations regarding his defamatory and abusive remarks on social media platforms.
Police Zero Tolerance Directives
Following the successful execution of the inter-state raid, City Police Commissioner A. Amalraj issued a stern warning regarding the exploitation of online streaming services. He emphasized that the administration has established a zero-tolerance policy against cybercriminals who deploy social media architectures to attack, abuse, or demean women.
The Central Crime Branch confirmed that digital forensic teams are currently auditing the servers and electronic devices associated with “MY INDIA 24X7.” The investigation remains wide open as authorities review additional electronic logs to determine if other conspirators or digital syndicates were involved in promoting and circulating the defamatory material.
