Madras High Court Dismisses Youtuber Savukku Shankar's Plea To Donate Books To Prisoners

The Madras High Court has dismissed a petition filed by YouTuber Shankar @ Savukku Shankar challenging the Director General of Prisons' refusal to accept book donations made by him. 

After noting that the petitioner himself has not read the books, Justice CV Karthikeyan dismissed the plea on the ground that the petitioner failed to explain how the books would be useful for the prisoners. 

Shankar had submitted that being kept in detention in the Cuddalore prison, he was aware about the eagerness of the prisoners to read and the need for the prisoners to have a library. Thus, in order to cater to the educational needs of the prisoners, he wished to donate 76 books worth around fifteen thousand rupees. 

Accordingly, he had sent a representation to the Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services stating his intention for donating and the details of books he intended to donate. However, his offer was rejected citing administrative reasons. 

Shankar submitted that the rejection was due to ulterior motives at the behest of the Tamil Nadu government. He submitted that his offer was rejected merely with a malafide intention for political purpose. He also questioned the rejection and submitted that the Director General had failed to assign reasons for refusal and was veiling themselves with the executive sigma of administrative reasons. 

He further submitted that the prisons being centres of reforms, it was necessary for the betterment of the society that reading habit among prisoners was encouraged. He also submitted that the prison authorities were permitting only non-controversial books and if necessary the same process could have been applied to the present case also. Thus, he had sought directions to the prison authorities to accept his offer. 

Case Title: Shankar @ Savukku Shankar v. State and others

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Mad) 60