The Supreme Court declined to entertain a plea challenging Savukku Shankar’s preventive detention under the Goondas Act, asking the petitioner to approach the High Court. The Court also noted that the High Court may take up the matter expeditiously if approached.
The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday refused to hear a writ petition challenging the preventive detention of YouTuber and journalist Savukku Shankar under the Tamil Nadu Goondas Act. The Court asked the petitioner to approach the appropriate High Court instead.
A Bench of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma declined to interfere in the matter at this stage. However, the Court gave some relief by observing that if the petitioner moves the High Court, it may consider hearing the case quickly.
The petition was filed by Shankar’s nephew, D. Bharath, seeking to cancel a third preventive detention order issued against the journalist under the Goondas Act. The plea also asked for a writ of habeas corpus, claiming that preventive detention laws were being misused and that Shankar was being targeted because of his journalistic work.
Savukku Shankar was first arrested on December 13, 2025, in an extortion case registered under different provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. After his arrest, several legal proceedings started before the Madras High Court, including a plea seeking medical treatment and a habeas corpus petition challenging his detention conditions.
The High Court had granted him interim bail on medical grounds and also made strong remarks against the State. Later, a Division Bench refused to cancel his bail but imposed strict conditions. These included restrictions on making public statements, contacting co-accused or witnesses, and limiting his movement only for medical or legal reasons.
Shankar had earlier approached the Supreme Court seeking relaxation of these conditions. However, the Court refused to grant relief, noting that he continued publishing videos and content even after getting bail on medical grounds.
The situation changed again when Shankar was supposed to surrender on March 25, 2026. On the same day, two new FIRs were registered against him, which led to his arrest on April 8. The next day, authorities passed a preventive detention order under the Goondas Act, labeling him a “goonda” as per the law.
Challenging this latest detention, the petitioner argued that the State was repeatedly using preventive detention as a tool to harass Shankar. It was highlighted that two earlier detention orders against him had already been set aside or withdrawn after court scrutiny.
The plea further stated that the latest detention order had no strong basis and did not show any real threat to public order. It also pointed out procedural issues, including the failure to provide a copy of the FIR that formed the basis of the detention order.
According to the petitioner, the State relied on vague claims of “public disorder”, which do not meet the legal standards required for preventive detention. The plea also alleged that Shankar was being targeted for exposing corruption and illegal activities.
Additionally, it was claimed that authorities took harsh steps against him and his family, including freezing his mother’s pension account and blocking financial accounts linked to his associates.
Despite all these arguments, the Supreme Court did not examine the merits of the case. Instead, it directed the petitioner to seek relief before the High Court.
Case Title:
D. Bharath v. State of Tamil Nadu & Anr.
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