Chennai court sentences YouTuber Savukku Shankar to three years in prison for making defamatory remarks against a female newsreader in 2013. The case highlights Shankar's history of controversial statements and legal entanglements, including prior arrests for contempt of court and derogatory remarks against police personnel. He has 30 days to appeal his sentence.

Chennai court sentences YouTuber Savukku Shankar to three years in prison for making defamatory remarks against a female newsreader in 2013. The case highlights Shankar's history of controversial statements and legal entanglements, including prior arrests for contempt of court and derogatory remarks against police personnel. He has 30 days to appeal his sentence.

Chennai court sentences YouTuber Savukku Shankar to three years in prison for making defamatory remarks against a female newsreader in 2013. The case highlights Shankar's history of controversial statements and legal entanglements, including prior arrests for contempt of court and derogatory remarks against police personnel. He has 30 days to appeal his sentence.

A Chennai court on Tuesday sentenced YouTuber 'Savukku' Shankar to three years in prison in connection with remarks he made against a female newsreader.

The case was filed in 2013 for "defamatory" remarks against a female Sun TV newsreader. The prosecution argued that his comments amounted to harassment. He has 30 days to appeal to a higher court.

Who is 'Savukku' Shankar?

'Savukku' Shankar is a former government employee who was suspended from the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC). Currently, he runs the YouTube channel, Savukku Media and is known for making controversial statements and criticising politicians, officials and even the judiciary. 

The erstwhile DMK government had detained Shankar under the Goondas Act. However, after the TVK came to power, his detention was revoked and he was released from prison. Interestingly, Shankar had previously criticised CM C. Joseph Vijay in the aftermath of the deadly Karur stampede that killed 41 people.

He was first arrested in 2008 for leaking a recorded conversation between two senior officials.

In August, the Madras High Court issued notice on a petition filed by former Tamil Nadu DVAC Chief and IPS officer Arun, seeking to restrain the YouTuber from making defamatory content against him. The IPS officer also sought ₹1 crore in damages from Shankar.

In 2022, the Madras High Court sentenced the YouTuber to six months in prison for contempt of court after he alleged in a video that the judiciary was corrupt.

Shankar was also arrested in 2024 for making derogatory remarks against female police personnel in an interview. Following this, several FIRs were registered in the case, leading to his arrest.

Another case involves possession of drugs. Police allegedly recovered 500 gram of ganja from his car.