Tamil Nadu revokes preventive detention order against Youtuber Savukku Shankar
The Tamil Nadu government revoked the preventive detention of YouTuber and political commentator Savukku Shankar under the Goondas Act after the Advisory Board found no sufficient grounds to continue his detention.
The Tamil Nadu government has revoked the preventive detention order passed against YouTuber and political commentator A Shankar alias Savukku Shankar under the Tamil Nadu Goondas Act.
The State’s Home, Prohibition and Excise Department issued an order to this effect on May 19, 2026, after the Advisory Board found that there was no sufficient cause to continue his detention.
According to a Government Order issued by the Home, Prohibition and Excise (XIII) Department, the state government cancelled the detention order dated April 9, 2026, passed by the Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai, under the Tamil Nadu Preventive Detention Act, 1982.
“The Advisory Board has expressed its unanimous opinion that there is no sufficient cause for the detention of Thiru A Savukku Shankar,” the government order said.
Shankar, aged 50, had been detained pursuant to the order passed by the Greater Chennai Police Commissioner. The detention order had classified him as a “Goonda” under the preventive detention law.
The matter was placed before the Advisory Board as required under Section 10 of the Tamil Nadu Preventive Detention Act. The Board examined the grounds of detention, the report of the detaining authority, connected records, and also heard Shankar’s oral representation.
After considering the materials placed before it, the Board concluded that his continued detention was not justified.
Based on the recommendation of the Advisory Board, the government passed the revocation order on May 19 under Section 12(2) of the Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982.
The order directed that Savukku Shankar be released forthwith from detention unless he is required to be detained in connection with any other case or is serving any sentence after conviction by a court.
The revocation came a day before the Madras High Court was scheduled to hear Shankar’s challenge to his preventive detention. However, the plea has now been rendered infructuous.
Last week, the Madras High Court granted bail to Shankar in a case alleging that he pelted stones at police personnel while being brought to Chennai after his arrest.
Justice L Victoria Gowri granted him bail after observing that he was already in police custody when the alleged incident took place.
“The liberty of a citizen is not to be weighed lightly merely because allegations are grave. The law insists that liberty and investigation must be balanced with judicial care,” the court had said.
The Tamil Nadu government has revoked the preventive detention order passed against YouTuber and political commentator A Shankar alias Savukku Shankar under the Tamil Nadu Goondas Act.
The State’s Home, Prohibition and Excise Department issued an order to this effect on May 19, 2026, after the Advisory Board found that there was no sufficient cause to continue his detention.
According to a Government Order issued by the Home, Prohibition and Excise (XIII) Department, the state government cancelled the detention order dated April 9, 2026, passed by the Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai, under the Tamil Nadu Preventive Detention Act, 1982.
“The Advisory Board has expressed its unanimous opinion that there is no sufficient cause for the detention of Thiru A Savukku Shankar,” the government order said.
Shankar, aged 50, had been detained pursuant to the order passed by the Greater Chennai Police Commissioner. The detention order had classified him as a “Goonda” under the preventive detention law.
The matter was placed before the Advisory Board as required under Section 10 of the Tamil Nadu Preventive Detention Act. The Board examined the grounds of detention, the report of the detaining authority, connected records, and also heard Shankar’s oral representation.
After considering the materials placed before it, the Board concluded that his continued detention was not justified.
Based on the recommendation of the Advisory Board, the government passed the revocation order on May 19 under Section 12(2) of the Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982.
The order directed that Savukku Shankar be released forthwith from detention unless he is required to be detained in connection with any other case or is serving any sentence after conviction by a court.
The revocation came a day before the Madras High Court was scheduled to hear Shankar’s challenge to his preventive detention. However, the plea has now been rendered infructuous.
Last week, the Madras High Court granted bail to Shankar in a case alleging that he pelted stones at police personnel while being brought to Chennai after his arrest.
Justice L Victoria Gowri granted him bail after observing that he was already in police custody when the alleged incident took place.
“The liberty of a citizen is not to be weighed lightly merely because allegations are grave. The law insists that liberty and investigation must be balanced with judicial care,” the court had said.
