Supreme Court Allows Clubbing of FIRs Against YouTuber Savukku Shankar, Issues Strict Caution on Court Remarks

The Supreme Court of India on Monday allowed the clubbing of 16 FIRs filed against YouTuber Savukku Shankar over his controversial online interview, but issued stern warnings for his continued defiance of previous Court orders. The Court not only ordered the consolidation of investigations but also reminded Shankar of the restrictions on his comments about court proceedings, which he had violated in the past.

Key Highlights

• Clubbing of FIRs: The Supreme Court allowed the clubbed investigation of 15 FIRs related to Shankar’s online interview, except for one FIR (Crime No. 10) that is unrelated to the primary case. The investigation in all the consolidated FIRs will now be transferred to the Cyber Crime Police Station in Coimbatore and will be handled under FIR No. 123/2024.
  
  
• Court's Firm Stance on Court Remarks Violation: The Court highlighted that Shankar had violated its previous order dated November 11, 2022, which suspended his six-month sentence for contempt of court. The earlier order specifically prohibited him from making any videos or comments regarding ongoing court proceedings. Senior Advocate Siddarth Luthra pointed out that Shankar continued to breach this order despite clear directives from the Court. Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar cautioned him again for his disregard of the Court’s instructions.
  
  
• Challenge to the FIRs: Shankar’s petition argued that the 16 FIRs were filed as part of a vendetta by the Tamil Nadu state government to silence his critical opinions against the government. He alleged that the state government had resorted to false arrests, custodial violence, and preventive detention under the Tamil Nadu Goondas Act in a bid to silence him.
  
  
• State's Response: Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the State of Tamil Nadu, urged the Court to dismiss Shankar's plea, arguing that Shankar’s behavior of making defamatory remarks about various groups, including police and judiciary, was unacceptable. Rohatgi emphasized that Shankar had made allegations against sitting judges and the police department and had been a dismissed constable. Shankar’s defense, represented by Advocate Balaji Srinivasan, included an unconditional apology for his earlier comments.
  

Court's Directions on FIR Investigations

The Supreme Court passed the following directions as it disposed of Shankar's writ petition:

1. Investigation Continuation: The investigation of FIR No. 123/2024, registered on May 3, 2024, at the Coimbatore Cyber Crime Police Station shall continue. All investigations in the related FIRs, except Crime No. 10, will be transferred to the same police station.
   
   
2. Expedited Investigations: The Court stressed that investigations should proceed expeditiously, though it refrained from commenting on the merits of the case or how investigations should be conducted. It directed that chargesheets be filed as per the law.
   
   
3. Examination of Collected Evidence: All materials and evidence collected during the investigation of the related FIRs must be examined by the Investigating Officer assigned to FIR No. 123/2024.
   
   
4. Reminder of Court Orders: The Court reminded Shankar of its previous order, which prohibited him from making public comments about court proceedings. The Court warned that any further breach could lead to serious consequences and allowed the concerned parties to move an application if there was a violation of this order.
   

Background

Shankar, a journalist and YouTuber, faced legal trouble after his interview on the RedPix 24x7 YouTube channel on April 30, 2024, where he allegedly made defamatory remarks about female police personnel. This interview led to 16 FIRs being filed against him in multiple districts across Tamil Nadu. The case has raised concerns about press freedom and the state's actions against critics.

Earlier in May 2024, Shankar was arrested for his statements and later detained under the Tamil Nadu Goondas Act, which was challenged by his mother in a habeas corpus petition. The Supreme Court intervened in July 2024, ordering Shankar’s interim release, although his preventive detention was quashed by the Madras High Court in August 2024.

Shankar’s plea to quash the FIRs, which he claims were filed to stifle his dissent, continues to be debated in the courts, with the Supreme Court’s intervention in the investigation process marking a significant step forward in the case.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court's decision to allow the clubbing of the FIRs against Savukku Shankar reflects its commitment to addressing the broader issue of press freedom and criticism of government actions. However, the Court has also made it clear that Shankar must respect judicial orders and refrain from making inflammatory comments against the judiciary. With the investigation now expedited, the case will likely continue to be a focal point for discussions on free speech, press freedom, and the limits of judicial contempt.

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