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Chennai police arrest Nakkeeran journalist Damodharan Prakash over video about a woman YouTuber

16 Sept 2026 · 3 outlets · 1 min read

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In 30 seconds
  1. The complaint concerns a video posted in January; the woman complained in June.
  2. The Chennai Press Club said arresting him without first seeking his explanation raised questions.
  3. A court released him on his own bond on 17 September, with daily police sign-ins for 15 days.

On 16 September 2026, Adambakkam police in Chennai arrested Damodharan Prakash, a 58-year-old journalist with the Tamil weekly Nakkeeran, on a complaint by a 38-year-old woman YouTuber. She alleges that a video released in January on his YouTube channel used her photographs and made false, objectionable claims about her private life. He was booked under the BNS, the IT Act and Tamil Nadu's law against harassment of women. On 17 September an Alandur court refused to send him to judicial custody and released him on his own bond.

Checked

Claim by claim

?Unverified

The arrest followed a detailed inquiry into the complaint.

Said by Chennai police officer

This is the police account to The New Indian Express. Prakash's lawyer told the magistrate that no notice was given before the arrest, and the Chennai Press Club said he was not asked for his explanation.

The New Indian Express
?Unverified

The video made false and defamatory claims about the complainant's personal life.

Said by Complainant, as described by police

This is the allegation in the police case. No court has yet ruled on whether the video was defamatory.

The Hindu · The New Indian Express
In their own words

What each side says

Chennai police and the complainant

Police say the complaint was forwarded to Adambakkam station and that they arrested Prakash after an inquiry. The complainant alleges the video harmed her reputation with false claims.

The Hindu · The New Indian Express
Prakash and the Chennai Press Club

The Press Club said legal action was possible but questioned the delay and an arrest without seeking his explanation. His lawyer argued police ignored arrest guidelines for offences punishable by under seven years and said he would cooperate.

The New Indian Express · The Indian Express (Tamil)
As it unfolded

Step by step

  1. Prakash is arrested at his home in Chennai.

  2. Alandur court refuses judicial custody and releases him on his own bond.

Honest gaps

Not yet known

  • ?Whether police will file a chargesheet, and when.
Who reported this

Sources

Left-leaning · 2Centre · 1

3 outlets across the spectrum. Leanings are a rough guide to who reported it, not a verdict on accuracy.

  1. The HinduNakkeeran journalist arrested for defamatory video against woman YouTuber
  2. The New Indian ExpressTN Journalist Damodharan Prakash held for posting defamatory video about woman YouTube host
  3. The Indian Express (Tamil)பெண் யூடியூபர் கொடுத்த புகார்: மூத்த நிருபர் தாமோதரன் பிரகாஷ் ஜாமீனில் விடுதலை

Spasht writes original summaries. Follow the links to read each outlet's own report. Revision 1.

Chennai police arrest Nakkeeran journalist Damodharan Prakash over video about a woman YouTuber | Spasht