Karnataka HC Quashes FIR Against YouTuber 'Drone Prathap' Over Sodium Experiment; Calls Video Educational
The Karnataka High Court quashed a criminal case against YouTuber Prathap NM, known as 'Drone Prathap', noting that his viral sodium experiment video was educational, mirrored an NCERT syllabus concept, and lacked malicious intent. The court said that any future infractions or similar high-risk stunts by the petitioner would face strict legal consequences.
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The Karnataka High Court has quashed a criminal case against YouTuber Prathap NM, widely known as "Drone Prathap", who was booked after filming an experiment involving sodium and an artificial pond. Justice Suraj Govindaraj ruled that the experiment mirrored concepts from the 10th-standard NCERT syllabus and that the content creator had produced the video for educational purposes without malicious intent.
Background of the Case
Prathap faced legal action after dropping 100 grams of sodium into an artificial pond to demonstrate a chemical reaction, uploading the resulting video to YouTube, where it subsequently went viral, reports Bar and Bench. Following his arrest in December 2024, he was booked under Section 3 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, for causing an explosion likely to endanger life or property, alongside Section 288 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, for negligent conduct regarding explosive substances. Daughter-in-Law Not Obligated To Maintain Mother-in-Law After Husband’s Death Unless Gift Deed Specifies, Rules Karnataka High Court.
After spending time in custody, Prathap secured bail, removed the controversial video from his channel, and petitioned the High Court to quash the first information report (FIR). His defence counsel maintained that the demonstration took place on an artificial pond located on a private farm with precautionary measures observed.
High Court Observations and Ruling
The Court took into consideration Prathap's background as an educator and content creator who has constructed 600 drones utilising electronic waste. Justices highlighted that publicising the video openly demonstrated a lack of intent to conceal evidence or cause harm. "This Court does not condone or commend the acts taken by the petitioner. (However) the fact remains it is not a malicious action but only an educative action on part of the petitioner which would not require such educator to go through the ignominy of an investigation and a criminal trial thereafter," the Court stated. Karnataka High Court Refuses To Quash Suicide Abetment Case Against Man Over Nursing Student's Death; Here's Why.
While setting aside the charges, the bench issued a cautionary note, stating that any future infractions or similar high-risk stunts by the petitioner would face strict legal consequences.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 29, 2026 11:03 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
