Shankar @ Savukku Shankar v. Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 20.05.2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.SAKTHIVEL Shankar @ Savukku Shankar S/o. Late. Achimuthu ... Petitioner/Accused No.1 Vs.

The Inspector of Police, S8, Adambakkam Police Station, Chennai.

(Crime No.377 of 2025) ... Respondent /Complainant PRAYER:- Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 praying to enlarge the petitioner on bail in P.R.C.No.39 of 2026 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate Court No.II, Alandur, in connection with Crime No.377 of 2025 on the file of the respondent-police.

For Petitioner :

Mr.Arun Anbumani for Mr.Rajkumar Pandian For Respondent :

Mr.L.Baskaran Government Advocate (Criminal Side)

ORDER

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed by the petitioner on 11.05.2026 under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, praying to grant bail.

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2.

The petitioner/A1, was arrested and remanded to judicial custody in this case through a warrant on 16.12.2025 for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 296(b), 351(2), 308(3), 131, 115(2), 109, 353(1)(b) and 61(2)(b) of BNS, 2023, in Crime No.377 of 2025 on the file of the respondent-police.

3.

The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner made false and defamatory statements on social media against the film "Red and Follow" produced by the de facto complainant and others. It is further alleged that on 30.06.2025 at about 5.17 p.m., when the de facto complainant requested the removal of the alleged statements through a phone call, the petitioner demanded a sum of Rs.10 lakhs from him. Subsequently, On 01.07.2025, when the de facto complainant visited the petitioner at his premises, the petitioner, along with five other accused, abused the de facto complainant in filthy language, assaulted him and extorted a sum of Rs.1 lakh from him. Based on this, a complaint was lodged and pursuantly, the aforesaid case was registered on 02.07.2025. 4.

Mr.Arun Anbumani, learned counsel for the petitioner, submits that the petitioner, a well-known journalist, is innocent and has 2/8

not committed any offences as alleged by the prosecution. He further submits that the petitioner runs a YouTube channel under the name and style of "Savukku Media" to highlight the malpractices in government administration. He further contends that as a consequence of his journalistic work and to harass the petitioner, several cases have been falsely registered against him, all of which are improbable. He also submits that the current proceedings are also a malafide exercise of power to stifle his voice. He further submits that the co-accused in this case have been enlarged on bail by this Court in Crl.O.P.Nos.4011 & 4044 of 2026 on 03.03.2026.

5.

The learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that the petitioner was initially arrested on 13.12.2025 in respect of Crime No.519 of 2025 registered on the file of the Inspector of Police, J1, Saidapet Police Station, Chennai and through a warrant, he was arrested in this case on 16.12.2025. Thereafter, the petitioner was granted interim bail by this Court, vide order dated 26.12.2025, in W.P.M.P.No.839 of 2025 in W.P.No.1791 of 2025 and H.C.P.No.2754 of 2025. Subsequently, the petitioner was arrested on 09.04.2026 in connection with Crime Nos.258 and 302 of 2026 and in respect of the present case, he was once again 3/8

formally arrested through a warrant on 05.05.2026. He also submits that the petitioner is ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court and therefore, prays for the grant of bail to the petitioner. 6.

Per contra, Mr.L.Baskaran, learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent-police submits that the petitioner is arrayed as A1 and several other cases are pending against him. He also submits that the petitioner, along with other accused, made defamatory statements on social media against the film produced by the de facto complainant, extorted a sum of Rs.1 lakh from him and also threatened him with dire consequences. He also submits that the investigation in this case has been completed, final report has also been filed and the same is pending committal in P.R.C.No.39 of 2026 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate Court No.II, Alandur. Hence, he opposes the grant of bail to the petitioner and accordingly, he prays for the dismissal of the petition.

7.

Heard on both sides. This Court has perused all the materials available on record.

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8.

The petitioner has permanent residence and deep roots in the society. Therefore, there is less possibility of absconding of the petitioner. Considering the facts and cumulative circumstances of the case, the arguments advanced on either side, the offences alleged against the petitioner and taking note of the period of incarceration, this Court is of the considered view that further custody of the petitioner may not be required. Therefore, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions:

(i) The petitioner shall execute a bond for Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) along with two sureties each for a like sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Alanthur. (ii) The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the Application for Suretyship [Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019']. The learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Alandur, shall obtain a copy of any one of their identity proofs to ensure their identity. (iii) The petitioner shall appear before the Judicial Magistrate No.II, Alandur, on all hearing dates, until committal. Thereafter, the petitioner shall appear before the trial Court as per the order to be passed / as directed by the committal Court namely the Judicial Magistrate Court No.II, Alandur. (iv) The petitioner shall furnish his residential address and 5/8

mobile numbers to the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Alandur. (v) The petitioner shall not commit an offence similar to the offence of which he is accused, or suspected, of the commission of which he is suspected.

(vi) The petitioner shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade them from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer or tamper with the evidence. (vii) The petitioner shall also not directly or indirectly, cause any threat to the de facto complainant, victims, and witnesses. (viii) The petitioner shall not enter into the de facto complainant's house or his work place.

(ix) The petitioner shall not try to contact the de facto complainant, victims, and witnesses either directly or through any electronic mode.

(x) On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the Judicial Magistrate No.II, Alandur, or Trial Court is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions are imposed by them as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K. Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005) 13 SCC 283].

9.

Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is allowed subject to the conditions stated supra. 20.05.2026 ham 6/8

Note:

1. Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order on the Official Website of this Court.

2. All concerned to act on this order being uploaded on Official Website of this Court without insisting on certified hard copies.

To be noted, this order, when uploaded on the official website of this Court, will be watermarked and will also have a QR code.

To 1.

The Judicial Magistrate No.II, Alandur.

2.

The Superintendent of Prisons, Central Prison - II, Puzhal.

3.

The Inspector of Police, S8, Adambakkam Police Station, Chennai.

4.

The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court.

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R.SAKTHIVEL,J ham Order made in 20.05.2026 8/8