Police in Ramanagara, Bengaluru South district, have taken into custody a 38-year-old YouTuber from Tumakuru following serious allegations of kidnapping and attempting to misbehave with a 17-year-old girl in the early hours of New Year's Day.
Contradictory Claims Emerge in Early Morning Incident
The incident reportedly occurred near Magadi Town. According to the complaint filed by the girl's father, his daughter was walking home alone from her aunt's residence around 2 am on January 1 after a New Year's Eve gathering. The accused, driving a car, allegedly stopped her, inquired about a farmhouse party, and then forcibly dragged her inside the vehicle.
"My daughter refused to answer. He dragged her inside and misbehaved. Another man was in the car," the father stated in his complaint. He added that after driving some distance and parking, both men consumed alcohol before the friend left. The YouTuber then continued driving with the minor. The girl reportedly spotted the accused's phone in the car, used it to call her brother, leading the family to rush to the location. They found the car rammed into a shop door and rescued her.
Accused Denies Charges, Offers Different Version
The arrested YouTuber has categorically denied all allegations. He presented a contrasting account to the police, claiming he was returning to Tumakuru after filming New Year celebrations at a farmhouse. He stated that the girl herself requested a lift, saying someone was waiting for her a short distance away.
"After getting into the car, she asked for my mobile phone and called her brother. When her father and brother reached the spot, she suddenly blamed me for forcing her inside the car and misbehaving," the accused claimed.
Police Cite Inconsistencies, Family Files Broad Complaint
Investigating officers have noted inconsistencies in the statements from both sides. The minor girl's versions have been contradictory, and her family provided unclear answers when questioned about allowing her to walk alone at 2 am, a senior officer revealed. The police are yet to record a detailed, consistent statement from the girl.
Despite the unclear narrative, the police have proceeded with legal action. The accused was remanded to one day of police custody before being sent to judicial custody at Ramanagara district prison. He has been formally booked under multiple sections of the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
In a significant development, the girl's family has lodged a formal complaint not only against the YouTuber but also against his friend who was present in the car initially and the owner of the farmhouse where the party was hosted, broadening the scope of the investigation.
