Madras HC grants conditional bail to YouTuber ‘Savukku’ Shankar in attempt-to-murder case* _Crl OP 11627 of 2026 | Shankar @ Savukku Shankar v The Inspector of Police_ _Justice L. Victoria Gowri | May 13, 2026_

[15/05, 12:31] sekarreporter1: https://www.verdictum.in/pdf_upload/2026/05/14/shankar-savukku-shankar-v-the-inspector-of-police-1777576.pdf
[15/05, 12:31] Meta AI: *Madras HC grants conditional bail to YouTuber ‘Savukku’ Shankar in attempt-to-murder case*
_Crl OP 11627 of 2026 | Shankar @ Savukku Shankar v The Inspector of Police_
_Justice L. Victoria Gowri | May 13, 2026_

*1. Case Background*
*Allegation*: Shankar was arrested at *Ongole, Andhra Pradesh on April 8, 2026* in a cheating/extortion case. While being brought to *Puzhal prison, Chennai*, police claim the vehicle stopped near Kavangarai _“to allow Shankar to answer nature’s call”_.

*Prosecution version*: 4 men in another car arrived, picked quarrel with Sub-Inspector Dhanasekaran, abused him, pelted stones. _“Prosecution further claimed that Shankar also joined in pelting stones at the officer, creating panic among the public.”_ FIR under *Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita* – rioting, assault on public servant, *attempt to murder*.

*2. Shankar’s Defence*
1. *Denied incident*: _“No such incident had occurred”_. Called it _“artificial, concocted and inherently unbelievable”_ since he was already in police custody.
2. *Fabrication claim*: Case fabricated _“with the intention of detaining him under the Tamil Nadu Goondas Act”_.
3. *Contradictions*: Counsel pointed to _“contradictions between two FIRs… same person and vehicle were projected in incompatible versions”_ on same day.
4. *Context*: Arrested after returning from Bengaluru where he visited ailing mother.

*3. HC Order – May 13, 2026*
*Justice Victoria Gowri held*:
1. *Liberty vs allegations*: _“The liberty of a citizen is not to be weighed lightly merely because allegations are grave. The law insists that liberty and investigation must be balanced with judicial care.”_
2. *Custody factor*: _“Petitioner was already in police custody at the time of the alleged occurrence… improbable he pelted stones while in custody.”_
3. *Goondas Act vs Bail*: _“Preventive detention and punitive custody operate in different fields… mere existence of detention order cannot denude this Court of its jurisdiction to consider a bail petition”_.
4. *Conditions*: Bail granted with:
– *Bond*: Rs 25,000 + 2 sureties
– *Daily appearance*: Before Puzhal police until further orders
– *Cooperation*: Appear for inquiry as required
– *No tampering*: Not to abscond, influence witnesses, or tamper evidence

*4. Related Proceedings*
1. *Goondas Act detention*: Greater Chennai Commissioner passed detention order *April 9, 2026* based on this attempt-to-murder case + others. Habeas corpus petition by nephew listed May 20, 2026.
2. *37 pending cases*: HC on July 29, 2025 directed police to expedite probe in 13 cases + trial in 24 cases against Shankar within 4-6 months.
3. *Past bail issues*: Dec 26, 2025 – interim bail in 17 cases on health grounds. Jan 8, 2026 – police sought cancellation alleging he posted 8 videos instead of treatment. Jan 23, 2026 – gag order issued barring comments on pending cases.

*5. Court’s Observations on Detention*
Justice Gowri: _“Where the presence of an accused can be secured through conditions and the prosecution’s apprehensions can be addressed through safeguards, continued incarceration would not be justified as a matter of course.”_

*Bottom line*: Madras HC gave Shankar bail in attempt-to-murder case citing improbability of stone-pelting while in custody, inconsistencies in FIRs, and principle that _“grave allegations”_ alone don’t justify denying liberty. But he must report daily to Puzhal police + faces Goondas detention challenge separately.

*Citation*: Crl OP 11627/2026. Order available at http://verdictum.in PDF you linked.

Want the full 2026 order text or details on the Goondas Act HCP hearing on May 20?