In late January 2026, the peaceful district of Kodagu in Karnataka was rocked by a massive privacy scandal that sent shockwaves through the region. A series of intimate videos featuring a young man with multiple women were leaked online, sparking public outrage, police intervention, and a complex investigation involving political families, possible vigilante attacks, and questions about digital consent .
The Kodagu viral video leaks case involves Mohammed Savad, a 21-year-old BBA student at a Bengaluru college, who allegedly recorded his sexual encounters with several young women—many of them daughters of local political leaders—and the videos were subsequently leaked on social media .
Here is the complete, fact-checked story of the Kodagu viral video leaks.
Who Is Mohammed Savad? The Accused
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Mohammed Savad (also spelled Mohammad Sawad/Mohammad Savad) |
| Age | 21 years old |
| Hometown | Madikeri, Kodagu district, Karnataka |
| Education | BBA student at a reputed college in Sampigehalli, Bengaluru |
| Arrest Date | January 29, 2026 |
| Charges | BNS Sections 79 (insulting woman’s modesty), 294 (circulating obscene material); IT Act provisions |
Savad, originally from Kodagu, was pursuing his Bachelor of Business Administration in Bengaluru but maintained contacts with college students back in his home district . He allegedly developed friendships with multiple young women and recorded private moments with them on his mobile phone .
What Were the Kodagu Viral Videos?
The videos in question showed Savad engaging in sexual acts with multiple young women on separate occasions .
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Content | Obscene/sexually explicit videos featuring Savad with different women |
| Number of Women | At least two confirmed; possibly more under investigation |
| Recording Method | Self-recorded, allegedly by Savad himself |
| How Leaked | His mobile phone was reportedly accessed by friends who leaked the content |
| Platforms | Circulated widely on WhatsApp and other social media platforms across Kodagu district |
According to police and media reports, the visuals appeared to be self-recorded, suggesting the women may not have been aware they were being filmed—or at least not aware the footage would be shared .
How the Case Came to Light
The scandal might have remained hidden if not for a concerned citizen who decided to act.
January 21, 2026: The Complaint
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Discovery | A resident of Napoklu (near Madikeri) received the viral videos on WhatsApp |
| Action Taken | The resident forwarded the clips to M.S. Prasanna Bhat, President of the Kodagu Development Committee |
| Police Complaint | Prasanna Bhat immediately filed a formal complaint with Madikeri Rural Police |
| FIR Registered | Case registered on January 22, 2026 under relevant sections |
The complaint alleged that obscene photos and videos featuring a young man and two women were being widely circulated on social media platforms across the district .
Police Investigation
Upon receiving the complaint, police launched an investigation:
- Verification: Officers confirmed that the person in the videos matched Savad’s description
- Identification: Many of the women were identified as daughters of local political leaders in Kodagu
- Arrest: Savad was arrested on January 29, 2026
Who Leaked the Videos? The Friend Angle
One of the most intriguing aspects of this case is how the videos actually went public.
The Phone Access Theory
According to multiple reports, Savad’s mobile phone was accidentally found/accessed by his friends . These friends then allegedly leaked the private videos on social media .
The Vigilante Attack Subplot
Things took a darker turn when additional videos surfaced showing a group of youths being attacked .
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| What Surfaced | Videos showing a group being assaulted |
| Police Theory | The attack may have been carried out by Savad’s friends against those who made the videos viral |
| Complaint Status | No formal complaint filed regarding the attack |
| Investigation | Police are probing all angles, including this possible revenge assault |
This suggests a cycle of betrayal, leaking, and retaliation that has complicated the investigation .
Why This Case Caused Such Outrage
Several factors combined to make the Kodagu video leaks a major news story.
1. The Victims’ Backgrounds
Police confirmed that many of the young women featured in the videos are daughters of local politicians from politically active families in Kodagu . This added a layer of political sensitivity to an already delicate case .
2. The Religious Angle
Reports indicated that the religious angle was also a reason for the public outrage . In a region with diverse communities, such controversies can quickly escalate beyond the individuals directly involved .
3. The Betrayal of Trust
The case highlighted how digital intimacy can be weaponized:
- Women who trusted Savad may have been recorded without full consent
- The footage was shared without their knowledge or permission
- Their privacy was violated on a massive scale across social media
4. The Scale of Distribution
The videos weren’t just leaked—they were widely circulated across Kodagu district . This meant the victims faced public humiliation in their own communities, making the trauma far more severe .
Legal Charges and Police Action
FIR Details
A case was registered on January 22, 2026 under:
| Section | Offense |
|---|---|
| BNS Section 79 | Word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman |
| BNS Section 294 | Sale, etc., of obscene material |
| IT Act (relevant sections) | Publishing/transmitting obscene material electronically |
Police Statement
A senior police officer confirmed:
“The visuals appeared to be self-recorded and depicted the accused engaging in sexual acts with both women on separate occasions. During verification, police confirmed that the person seen in the videos was the accused student” .
Ongoing Investigation
Police have launched a comprehensive investigation into all aspects of the matter, including:
- How the videos were leaked
- Who else may have been involved in distribution
- The circumstances of the alleged vigilante attacks
- Whether any minors were involved (which would trigger POCSO provisions)
Summary: Key Facts at a Glance
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Accused | Mohammed Savad, 21, BBA student |
| Hometown | Madikeri, Kodagu; studied in Bengaluru |
| Arrest Date | January 29, 2026 |
| Victims | Multiple young women, including daughters of local political leaders |
| Content | Self-recorded sexual videos |
| How Leaked | Friends reportedly accessed his phone and circulated videos |
| Complaint Filed By | M.S. Prasanna Bhat, Kodagu Development Committee President |
| FIR Date | January 22, 2026 |
| Charges | BNS Sections 79, 294; IT Act |
| Additional Issue | Videos of retaliatory attacks also surfaced; under investigation |
Police Advisory on Digital Safety
In the wake of this case and other similar incidents, the Karnataka DGP issued a public advisory on data privacy and security :
| Advisory | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Personal Information | Do not post personal details publicly |
| Two-Factor Authentication | Enable 2FA on all accounts |
| Passwords | Use strong, unique passwords |
| Customer Service Scams | Beware of fake customer care numbers |
| Digital Content Sharing | Be cautious about sharing intimate content digitally |
This warning came as authorities emphasized the growing need for vigilance in protecting personal data from misuse or exploitation on social media platforms .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What were the Kodagu viral video leaks?
A: A series of intimate videos showing a BBA student, Mohammed Savad, with multiple women were leaked online. Many victims were daughters of local political leaders, sparking outrage .
Q2: Who leaked the videos?
A: Police believe Savad’s friends accessed his phone and leaked the content. Savad himself is not suspected of leaking them, as he was aware of the consequences .
Q3: Was the accused arrested?
A: Yes. Mohammed Savad was arrested on January 29, 2026, after a complaint was filed by Kodagu Development Committee President Prasanna Bhat .
Q4: What legal charges were filed?
A: Savad was booked under BNS Sections 79 (insulting woman’s modesty) and 294 (circulating obscene material), along with relevant sections of the IT Act .
Q5: Were there any attacks related to this case?
A: Yes. Videos surfaced showing a group of youths being attacked. Police suspect Savad’s friends may have assaulted those who leaked the videos, but no formal complaint has been filed .
Q6: Why did this case receive so much attention?
A: The involvement of daughters of political families, the religious angle, and the scale of privacy violation all contributed to public outrage .
Final Thoughts: A Cautionary Tale of Digital Intimacy
The Kodagu viral video leaks serve as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in recording private moments on devices that can be accessed by others.
Key takeaways from this case:
- Consent matters – Even if women consented to the acts, they almost certainly did not consent to worldwide distribution
- Phone security is critical – A “lost” or “accessed” phone can destroy lives
- Friends can be the biggest risk – In this case, it wasn’t a stranger hacking Savad’s phone, but people he trusted
- Digital footprints last forever – Once videos are online, they can never truly be erased
- The law is catching up – BNS and IT Act provisions provide avenues for justice, but prevention is always better
As one report noted, the case “triggered public outrage, with investigations probing possible involvement of friends and related violent incidents” .
For the young women of Kodagu whose private moments became public spectacle, the trauma will last long after the news cycle moves on. And for Mohammed Savad, a promising BBA student, a few recorded moments have derailed his future entirely.
The bottom line: In an age where every phone is a camera and every friend is a potential publisher, think twice before recording—and three times before trusting anyone with access to your device.