Youtuber Savukku Shankar, who was earlier arrested for defaming women constables and other police officers, is still in jail.
Published Aug 12, 2024 | 10:43 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 26, 2024 | 2:19 PM
YouTuber Savukku Shankar
A day after the Madras High Court set aside the detention of YouTuber Savukku Shankar under the Tamil Nadu Preventive Detention Act – commonly called the Goondas Act, he was detained under the act once again on Monday, 12 August.
This time, he has been detained based on a case registered against him by Theni police for allegedly possessing weed. He was arrested along with five others including his assistant and car driver.
Earlier, the Coimbatore Cyber Crime Police had registered a case and arrested Shankar for defaming women constables and other police officers. Subsequently, a case was registered against him in 16 police stations across Tamil Nadu including Chennai, Kanyakumari, Dindigul and Nilgiris for the same charge. The police had also registered a case against Savukku Shankar on other charges.
A bench of Justices SM Subramaniam, and V Sivagnanam who heard the habeas corpus petition on Friday, filed by Shankar’s mother Kamala, overturned the order of imprisonment of Shankar under the Goondas Act and mentioned in the judgment that “Savukku Shankar can be released immediately if it is not required in other cases”. The court observed that none of the offences against Shankar disclosed any serious threat to the public order.
“Allegation or remarks made against individuals cannot constitute a threat to ‘Public Order’. There must be a real threat or apprehension of large-scale disturbance in the society or amongst the people at large to invoke the term ‘Public Disorder’. This Court does not find merit in the Detention Order issued by the 2nd respondent,” the court had observed.
Now, based on the recommendation of Theni PC Patti Police and Theni Superintendent of Police, a case has been registered under the Goondas Act to Savukku Shankar, who is in jail on other charges. He was transferred from the Puzhal Jail to Madurai Jail on Sunday, hence the order regarding the Goondas Act has been sent to Madurai.
Despite the Madras High Court’s advise to the state government and police that it was wrong to take revenge on the Youtuber, he has been detained under the act without respecting the judges, said Leader of Opposition and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami.
Taking to X, he wrote, “The Madras High Court had said that if the Detention Act from the British era is used now, it will be like bringing back. It also said Savukku can be given bail. And yet, the Tamil Nadu government went ahead and disrespected the court by slapping Goondas Act on him again. The DMK regime is arrogant because of the power it has and has been engaged in revenge. People will teach them a lesson during the 2026 Assembly elections.”
ஆங்கிலேயர் கால தடுப்பு காவல் சட்டத்தை தற்பொழுது, பயன்படுத்தினால் மீண்டும் ஆங்கிலேயர் சர்வாதிகார ஆட்சி போல் கொண்டு செல்லும் என சென்னை உயர்நீதிமன்ற நீதிபதிகள் சவுக்கு சங்கரை குண்டர் தடுப்பு சட்டத்தில் தமிழக காவல்துறை பழிவாங்குவதற்காக அடைத்தது தவறு என்று தமிழக… pic.twitter.com/LvMp3eQ3bM
— EPS FOR TAMILNADU CM (@Eps2026) August 12, 2024
(Edited by Neena with inputs from Baskar P)
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