YouTuber Maridhas was arrested on December 9 after he alleged that Tamil Nadu was turning into another Kashmir under the state government’s rule, citing the death of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat in an IAF chopper crash in Coonoor.

One of his tweets, which is now deleted, reportedly claimed that the state gave freedom “to create a group that can do any level of treason against the country,” and that “it is possible for any kind of plot to be hatched here,” while another tweet mentioned that DMK was the “best choice for separatist forces and many DMK supporters were seen mocking the death of an army commander in an accident.”

As per a report by TNM, the Madurai police have booked Maridhas under sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) and 505(2) (making statements with intent to cause public mischief, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public) of the Indian Penal Code.

The Indian Air Force confirmed last night that General Bipin Rawat and his wife were among 13 people killed after an IAF chopper they were travelling in crashed near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district on Wednesday. While the IAF ordered an inquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident, the government does not suspect foul play.