Tamil YouTuber ‘Savukku’ Shankar was arrested by the Greater Chennai Police (GCP) on Tuesday, December 17, for failing to appear in court in connection to a ganja possession case in Theni district, Tamil Nadu. The GCP, who came to his workplace in T Nagar with a warrant, arrested and detained him at Teynampet police station. He will be handed over to Theni district police who will then produce the YouTuber before a magistrate.
Savukku was arrested on May 4, 2024, in Theni by the Coimbatore Cyber Crime Police after cases were filed against him for making derogatory comments against women police personnel. Following the Coimbatore Cyber Crime Police’s arrest of Savukku and two other individuals named Ramprabhu and Rajarathinam who accompanied Savukku, Theni’s Palanichettipatti police were reportedly tipped off about drugs in their vehicle.
After informing higher officials, the Theni police team – in the presence of Theni Tahsildar and zonal DRO who arrived at the spot – searched their room and vehicle and seized ganja, cash, and electronic equipment, the First Information Report (FIR) said.
Around 20 cases were registered against Savukku, including the cases against him for possessing ganja and making defamatory comments against women police personnel. The Goondas Act, a stringent act that allows authorities to do preventive detention of habitual offenders, to prevent dangerous activities that could be detrimental to public order, was also invoked against him.
After more than four months since his arrest, he was released from prison on September 25 after the Supreme Court ordered the Tamil Nadu police to revoke Goondas Act against him and directed his immediate release.
According to reports, a Special Court for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) had granted Savukku conditional bail in connection to the case filed by the Theni district police for possession of ganja. Since Savukku had failed to appear before the magistrate, an arrest warrant was issued by the court.