YouTuber Felix Gerald Arrested Over Karur Stampede Claims
The Chennai Cybercrime Wing arrested YouTuber Felix Gerald on Tuesday for allegedly publishing videos about the Karur rally stampede that could amount to spreading misinformation. Authorities say Gerald had made claims linking motives to the tragic incident.
Details of the Arrest
Gerald runs a Tamil YouTube channel focusing on current affairs. The arrest follows an FIR filed in connection with the stampede, which left 41 dead and many injured. Gerald is being questioned to determine whether his videos fueled rumors or unrest.
Legal Action & FIR Charges
More than 20 people are being investigated under the same case, with some already arrested for allegedly spreading false content around the stampede. In parallel, several TVK party officials have been booked in the FIR. They face charges including culpable homicide, attempt to commit culpable homicide, and endangering life.
Context & Consequences
The Karur stampede occurred during a rally held by actor-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Officials say overcrowding and delayed arrival of the leader contributed to deadly chaos. With Gerald’s arrest, the state is cracking down on what it terms “rumor mongering.” Critics caution that arrests for speech-related content must respect free expression rights.
