Nearly two months after regional news channel Lokshahi and YouTuber Anil Thatte broadcasted a “sexually explicit” video allegedly featuring BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, the channel’s editor-in-chief Kamlesh Sutar and Thatte have been booked for defamation and under the IT Act in Maharashtra.

The police had initiated an enquiry in the matter on July 18 on Maharashtra BJP vice president Somaiya’s complaint, a day after the clip triggered a political controversy. Maharashtra home minister Devendra Fadnavis had also ordered a police probe after opposition leader Ambadas Danve submitted a pendrive with eight video clips to the deputy chairperson of the Maharashtra legislative council. 

The police had earlier asked the news channel to provide the unedited “eight-hour long” explicit video.    

A complaint was registered after Somaiya reached Mumbai police east region cyber police station and submitted a written complaint. Earlier, the Mumbai Police crime branch was tasked with a probe after the issue was raised in the assembly.

The FIR has been registered at the East region cyber police station under section 500 (Punishment for defamation) of the Indian Penal Code and section 67 (A) and 66 (e) (cybercrime related to pornography) of the IT Act.