Supreme Court Stays Action Against YouTuber Savukku Shankar In 16 TN Police FIRs

The Supreme Court today (August 14) stayed coercive proceedings against Youtuber Savukku Shankar in 16 FIRs filed against him over an interview given by him on a YouTube Channel. 

Shankar, an independent journalists and YouTuber was arrested on May 4, 2024, for allegedly making defamatory remarks against female police personnel during an interview with the YouTube channel RedPix 24x7 on April 30, 2024. Following this incident, a total of 16 FIRs were filed against Shankar in different districts of Tamil Nadu, all stemming from the same interview.

The bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra issued noticed in the petitioner's writ petition to quash the FIRs against him. The Court has stayed the proceedings against him arising out of these FIRs.

"Issue notice, pending further orders there shall be a stay on further proceedings against the petitioner in connection with the FIRs," the bench ordered.

Advocate Balaji Srinivasan appearing for the petitioner informed the Court that after the Madras High Court set aside the preventive detention of the petitioner on August 9, he was detained again yesterday under the Tamil Nadu preventive detention law. It may be noted that the petitioner was detained under Tamil Nadu 'Goondas' Act 1982. 

In July, the Supreme Court had ordered the interim release of Savukku Shankar from preventive detention which was subsequently quashed by the High Court on August 9 . 

"Because I moved here, yesterday they have detained me again in Preventive Detention....what they are doing is, some interview I had given in October, they are lodging an FIR and arresting me" 

The Court also asked Srinivasan to prepare a chart detailing all the 16 FIRs which are lodged against the petitioner.

Srinivasan informed the Court that the fresh detention of the Petitioner will also be challenged

"You may also note my lords that I am detained afresh, which also I will challenge." 

To which the CJI remarked, "That can always be challenged." 

In his plea, the petitioner contends that the present FIRs have been filed as a modus operandi to silence his opinions against the present government of the State of Tamil Nadu. It is argued that the State government is presently : (1) Filing false cases and arresting him; (2) Subjecting him to custodial violence and assault by prison officials; (3) threatening him through ruling party members; (4) Placing him under preventive detention under the Tamil Nadu Goondas Act; and (5) Transporting him daily over long distances to prevent him from staying in one place. 

The petitioner has prayed for a writ of mandamus quashing the  16 FIRs arising out of the same interview given. The details of the FIRs are follows: 

i. Crime No. 21/2024 dated 03.05.2024 at PS: CCD-III, Trichy City

ii. Crime No. 12/2024 dated 04.05.2024 at PS: Madurai Cyber Crime

iii. Crime No. 22/2024 dated 06.05.2024 at PS: Dindugal Cyber Crime

iv. Crime No. 22/2024 dated 06.05.2024 at PS: Villupuram Cyber Crime

v. Crime No. 15/2024 dated 06.05.2024 at PS: Ranipet CCW 

vi. Crime No. 25/2024 dated 06.05.2024 at PS: CCD-III, Trichy City

vii. Crime No. 03/2024 dated 06.05.2024 at PS: Perambulur Cyber Crime

viii. Crime No. 18/2024 dated 06.05.2024 at PS: Sivagangai District Cyber Crime

ix. Crime No. 245/2024 dated 06.05.2024 at PS: Selaiyur Police Station, Tambram

x. Crime No. 06/2024 dated 06.05.2024 at PS: Salem City Cyber

xi. Crime No. 155/2024 dated 07.05.2024 at PS: CCD-I, Chennai

xii. Crime No. 02/2024 dated 07.05.2024 at PS: Nagapattinam District Cyber Crime

xiii. Crime No. 07/2024 dated 07.05.2024 at PS: Nilagiri District Cyber Crime

xiv. Crime No. 10/2024 dated 16.05.2024 at PS: Trichy AWPS Cantonment

xv. Crime No. 13/2024 at PS: Kanniyakumari Dist., AWPS Marthandam

xvi. Crime No. 64/2024 at PS: Tirunelveli Cyber Crime 

Counsel for the Petitioners: AOR Balaji Srinivasan and Advocates Harsha Tripathi and K Gowtham

Case Details :  A. Shankar @Savukku Shankar v. State of Tamil Nadu &Ors. W.P.(Crl.) No. 000340 / 2024 

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