Today, On 24th June, The Madras High Court denied bail to YouTuber G Felix Gerald, who was booked following an interview with YouTuber Savukku Shankar. Justice TV Thamilselvi rejected Gerald’s bail petition, citing his role in facilitating a platform for Shankar to make derogatory comments about women.
The Madras High Court, On Monday, denied bail to YouTuber G Felix Gerald, charged by the Coimbatore cyber-crime police for conducting an interview with Savukku Shankar. During the interview, Shankar allegedly made derogatory remarks about female police officers.
Justice TV Thamilselvi rejected Gerald’s bail request, concurring with the prosecution’s argument that Gerald facilitated Shankar’s derogatory comments by providing a platform for the interview.
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The judge also reviewed the interview transcript, which was submitted in court by Additional Public Prosecutor R Muniyapparaj, as per the court’s previous orders.
The Court remarked orally while denying Gerald’s bail petition,
“Why did you not remove the offensive sections? Shouldn’t journalists uphold some level of dignity? Is he conducting such interviews for personal gain and financial benefits?”
After the Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) reported that the interview had been viewed by over 500,000 people on YouTube and received more than 10,000 likes, thereby harming the reputation of female police officers. The judge questioned,
“Is he conducting such interviews for personal gain and financial benefits?”
Justice Thamilselvi noted that the YouTuber could have edited out the offensive remarks before posting the interview on YouTube but chose not to, likely due to the financial benefits associated with such content on social media.
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Gerald detained by the Tamil Nadu police on May 11 in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, after an interview in which Shankar allegedly made derogatory remarks about women and female police officers.
Numerous complaints lodged against both Shankar and Gerald across the state following the interview.
Shankar apprehended by the Coimbatore Police on May 4 and subsequently placed in judicial custody.