Maharashtra: YouTube channel editor arrested in Satara

The Satara police on Sunday arrested Taytasaheb alias Tushar Abaji Kharat, the editor of Lay Bhari News, a local YouTube channel from Satara. Kharat was arrested from Mumbai and has been booked in two separate cases by the Satara police.

In a case registered on Saturday at Vaduj police station in Satara, Kharat has been booked on charges of hurling casteist remarks against Shekhar Patole, 36, a BJP media cell functionary from Maan taluka and aide of BJP MLA Jaykumar Gore. Patole has alleged Kharat made derogatory and casteist remarks against him in November last year, assaulted him, snatched his cellphone and portable hard disk and spread defamatory content about him on the YouTube channel.

The second case was lodged at Dahiwadi police station on Sunday by Jaykumar Gore. Gore has alleged Kharat conspired to defame him by raking up sexual assault and molestation cases. Gore alleged Kharat demanded Rs 5 crore from him.

The arrest of Kharat comes days after Gore moved a breach of privilege motion against Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, MLA Rohit Pawar and Kharat. The motion was admitted by Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. He had referred it to the breach of privilege committee.