Mukhtar Ahmad

CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Police have detained YouTuber Mukthar Ahamed and political commentator Suriya Siva, son of DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchy Siva, under the Goondas Act in connection with alleged obscene and derogatory remarks made against racer and former BJP functionary Alisha Abdullah and her newborn child.

The preventive detention order was issued days after the duo were arrested in a case registered on a complaint lodged by Alisha Abdullah. Police alleged that objectionable comments targeting Abdullah and her family were made during a programme aired on the YouTube channel MY INDIA 24X7, operated by Mukthar Ahamed.

Suriya Siva, 33, was arrested on June 4 by the Chennai Police. Following his arrest, Mukthar Ahamed allegedly went into hiding, drawing criticism from several quarters, including Abdullah, over the delay in his arrest. After a search operation, police traced him to a hideout in Mandya district of Karnataka and arrested him on June 9.

According to police, Mukthar has a history of similar offences and is already facing two cases of a comparable nature. Officials said they had received more than 20 complaints against him alleging repeated use of disparaging and offensive remarks on social media platforms.

Based on the nature of the allegations and the accused persons’ past conduct, Greater Chennai Police Commissioner A. Amalraj invoked the provisions of the Goondas Act against both Mukthar and Suriya Siva. The detention order allows authorities to keep them in preventive custody to prevent activities deemed prejudicial to public order.

The Greater Chennai Police said the action underscores their commitment to tackling online abuse and harassment, particularly against women. The police also issued a warning that stringent legal action would be taken against individuals who use social media platforms to post obscene, abusive or derogatory content targeting women.