Mangaluru – In the aftermath of the recent tensions in Dharmasthala, three individuals — Mahesh Shetty Timarodi, Girish Mattannavar, and Puneeth Kerehalli — have been booked for allegedly circulating provocative videos on social media platforms that promote hatred and vulgarity.

A complaint by Charan Shetty (32) from Belthangady accuses Girish Mattannavar of posting a Facebook video on August 6 containing obscene remarks aimed at provoking violence and disrupting public peace. Police have registered a case under:

  • Section 57 (incitement to commit offence),

  • Section 296 (circulation of obscene material), and

  • Section 190 (unlawful assembly) of the IPC.

    • In a separate FIR, Mahesh Timarodi is accused of uploading a video on YouTube on August 7, making statements potentially inciting regional enmity and public fear. A case has been booked under:

    • Section 353(2) (promoting enmity on religious, caste, or regional grounds).

    Another Belthangady resident, Jerome Barboza (37), has filed a complaint against Puneeth Kerehalli for allegedly posting vulgar content on YouTube. This incident is also registered under Section 296 of the IPC.

    Police have confirmed that investigations are underway, and further legal action will follow based on digital evidence and forensic examination of the content.