The Tamil Nadu government has ordered the cancellation of the Goondas Act detention invoked against YouTuber Savukku Shankar.
According to the report, Shankar was earlier arrested on allegations of spreading defamatory content against the state government and ministers, and was later released on conditional bail. It is stated that he did not comply with court conditions, including signing at a police station, and allegedly continued to make defamatory remarks.
Following a court order to arrest him, a special police team detained him in Andhra Pradesh and lodged him in Puzhal prison. Subsequently, based on an order from the Chennai Police Commissioner, action under the Goondas Act was initiated against him in April.
The government said the detention has now been revoked after the advisory board that reviews Goondas Act cases examined the records, reasons for detention, and conducted a direct inquiry with Shankar. The board reportedly concluded unanimously that there were not sufficient grounds to apply the Act.
The Home Department Deputy Secretary Kumari, in the government order, said the Goondas Act detention issued by the Chennai Police Commissioner stands cancelled. The government added that Shankar would be released immediately if no other cases are pending against him.
