New Delhi, Feb 24 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Monday permitted the consolidation of multiple FIRs registered against YouTuber Savukku Shankar concerning his online interview.
The Court also reiterated its directive that Shankar must comply with its previous orders and refrain from making statements against court proceedings.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar was hearing a challenge to the 16 FIRs lodged against Shankar in relation to an online interview.
The Court passed an order allowing the clubbing of these FIRs, except for Crime No. 10, which was deemed unrelated to the primary incident.
All investigative materials collected under these FIRs are to be transferred and consolidated with the Investigating Officer assigned to the primary FIR, registered at the Coimbatore Cyber Crime Police Station.
The Court also reminded Shankar to adhere to its previous order dated November 11, 2022. In that order, a bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and J.K. Maheshwari had suspended the six-month imprisonment sentence imposed by the Madras High Court for contempt of court, directing that Shankar should not make any videos or comments regarding court proceedings until further orders.
Senior Advocate Siddarth Luthra, appearing for the State of Tamil Nadu, informed the Court that Shankar had violated the previous directive by continuing to comment on court proceedings. “He was told not to make any statement, but he is incorrigible! He cannot hold himself back,” Luthra remarked.
Advocate Balaji Srinivasan, representing Shankar, countered by stating that his client had tendered an unconditional apology for his statements. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, also representing the State, urged the Court to dismiss Shankar's plea, arguing, “I don’t think your lordships should have entertained this petition. He is making allegations against sitting High Court judges, the police department, journalists—all types of people. My lords, he is a dismissed constable.”
Srinivasan interjected, alleging that the State government was influencing the judiciary, stating, “See what the High Court says, what the state has done... they go and meet the judge and tell him not to decide the case.”
The Supreme Court directed that the investigation shall continue in FIR No. 123/2024, registered on May 3, 2024, at Cyber Crime Coimbatore Police Station.
The Court further directed that the investigations in the remaining FIRs, except for Crime No. 10, shall be transferred to the Coimbatore Cyber Crime Police Station.
Investigations shall proceed expeditiously, without the Court commenting on the merits of the allegations or the manner of investigation. The chargesheet will be filed as per legal procedure.
All material and evidence collected from the investigations will be examined by the Investigating Officer handling FIR No. 123/2024, while the investigation for Crime No. 10 will continue separately.
Shankar has been reminded of the Supreme Court’s November 11, 2022, order. If any violation of this order is found, the respondents or third parties may file an application before the Court.
In his defense, Shankar argued that the multiple FIRs were part of a systematic effort to suppress his dissent against the ruling Tamil Nadu government. His petition contended that the State government was filing false cases to arrest him, subjecting him to custodial violence and assault by prison officials, threatening him through ruling party members, placing him under preventive detention under the Tamil Nadu Goondas Act, Transporting him over long distances to prevent him from staying in one location.
Srinivasan had earlier requested the tagging of a habeas corpus petition with the writ petition seeking the quashing of the FIRs. However, Luthra objected, stating that the recent detention was under a different charge than the 16 FIRs currently under scrutiny.
The Supreme Court had earlier issued a notice on Shankar’s writ petition on August 14, staying coercive proceedings against him in connection with the 16 FIRs. Additionally, on August 22, the Court issued a notice in the habeas corpus matter. Previously, the Court had also heard a habeas corpus petition filed by Shankar’s mother, Kamala, challenging his detention under the Tamil Nadu Goondas Act, 1982.
Shankar, a journalist 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 him across multiple districts in Tamil Nadu, all linked to the same interview.
In July 2024, the Supreme Court had ordered Shankar’s interim release from preventive detention.
The Madras High Court on August 9, 2024 had quashed the State's order of detention.
UNI SNG CS1821