Madras HC grants bail to Savukku Shankar in case related to spreading misinformation

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court granted bail to the popular YouTuber and political commentator Savukku Shankar in a case registered against him for allegedly spreading misinformation about a police investigation on his online channel.

If anyone has a difference of opinion or objection to the statements or claims of Savukku Shankar then they can avoid watching his interview, observed the Pongal vacation bench of Justice GR Swaminathan, on Friday, while allowing the petition moved by Savukku Shankar seeking bail.

The complainant Siva Subramanian, inspector of police, Land Fraud Investigation Wing -II, Central Crime Branch-III, filed a complaint that Savukku Shankar has spread misinformation about the investigation of a land fraud case to the tune of several crores, that he is heading.

The inspector in his complaint said that he commenced his investigation regarding the land fraud case based on the inputs from the investigation by the South Chennai land registrar.

According to the complainant, he summoned Shankar after he in an interview on his YouTube channel on December 5, 2024, spread misinformation tarnishing the image of the police department claiming that the land fraud investigation is a foisted case.

On December 16, 2024, Shankar appeared before the inspector, the inspector said. When questioned about the documentary proof for Shankar’s claim regarding the land fraud case, he failed to provide any proof, said the inspector.

Hence, a case has been registered against Savukku Media Network, Shankar, Leo, and Malathi under sections 221, 222, 353 (1) (b) and 353 (2) of Bharatiya Nayaya Sanhita on the charge of obstructing a public servant from performing his duties, failing to assist a public servant, making statement intended to cause fear or panic to the public and inciting hatred, enmity between two groups.