CHENNAI: The Madras High Court will pass orders on January 23 in the petition seeking cancellation of the interim bail granted to YouTuber Savukku Shankar.
Shankar was arrested on December 13 last year based on cheating cases registered against him by the Adambakkam and Saidapet police. Following a habeas corpus petition filed by his mother, A Kamala, seeking his release on medical grounds, the High Court had granted him interim bail until March 25.
Meanwhile, when the petition filed by the Saidapet inspector seeking cancellation of the interim bail came up for hearing before the bench of Justices P Velmurugan and M Jothiraman, Shankar filed his counter affidavit.
Appearing for the police, Additional Public Prosecutor R Muniyapparaj submitted that Shankar was not cooperating with the investigation, threatened investigating officers through mobile phone and WhatsApp calls, and also intimidated witnesses. He also alleged that he abused the investigating officer, calling him a "murderer."
The prosecution also pointed out that although Shankar obtained the bail citing medical treatment, he has continuously been uploading YouTube videos.
In response, the judges questioned whether freedom of expression and speech allowed one to speak disrespectfully about police officers. The bench observed that police officers should not be spoken to in a disrespectful manner and remarked that Shankar's mother herself should advise her son accordingly.
The court then stated that it would pronounce orders on January 23 in the petition seeking cancellation of the interim bail.