How Tamil Youtuber became controversy’s favourite child

PROMINENT TAMIL Youtuber ‘Savukku’ Shankar, who continued to be active on digital platforms despite facing a multitude of legal troubles over the years, now finds himself in prison and facing a fresh spate of cases over comments during an interview that have been deemed derogatory to the police in general, and to women officers in particular.

“He had faced many arrest warrants in the past, but wasn’t arrested as he had well-wishers in every rank of the force. that has changed now ,” said an official who did not wish to be identified.

On thursday, the madras high Court heard multiple petitions involving Shankar and raised concerns regarding the influence of online content platforms.

“Some Youtube channels are turning out to be a menace to society,” said the HC bench that heard petitions concerning anticipatory bail, custodial violence, and requests to transfer Shankar from Coimbatore Central Prison.

Shankar's mother, A Kamala, had also filed a habeas corpus petition, seeking a judicial inquiry into alleged violence against her son in prison. Police officers have rejected the allegation and attributed injuries sustained by him to a road accident on may 4. shank ar was arrested on May 4 over a recent interview on Youtube, in which alleged that many women police constables and sub-inspectors in Tamil Na du were making “compromises” with senior male officers for convenient transfers, postings, and promotions.

Shankar was an employee of the the Vigilance department.

He first gained public attention in 2008 when he leaked audio recordings exposing illegal wiretapping practices by law enforcement agencies in Tamil Nadu, which had resulted in the resignation of a DMK minister. Despite facing arrest at the time, Shankar emerged as a vocal critic of corruption.

‘Savukku’ Shankar had worked for Vigilance department