The Madras High Court on Fridat declined to cancel the interim bail granted to YouTuber-journalist Savukku Shankar but imposed stricter conditions to regulate his conduct during the pendency of the investigation [State of Tamil Nadu Vs A Kamala].
The conditions included a complete prohibition on public commentary about the case and a direction for a fresh medical examination of Shankar by a government medical board.
A Bench of Justices P Velmurugan and M Jothiraman held that while it was not inclined to revoke bail at this stage, additional and more explicit restrictions were necessary to ensure that the liberty granted is not misused and that the investigation remains unhindered.
A copy of the order is yet to be made available.
Savukku Shankar was granted interim bail in December 2025 after the Madras High Court took note of his medical condition and expressed concern over the repeated curtailment of his personal liberty through multiple criminal proceedings.
At the time, the Court had emphasised that interim bail was necessary on humanitarian grounds and clarified that it was not a reflection on the merits of the cases registered against him.
Following the grant of interim bail, the State moved the present application seeking its cancellation, alleging that Shankar had violated bail conditions by continuing to make public statements and online content relating to the pending investigation.
As part of the modified conditions, the Court restrained Shankar from making any statement or comment, directly or indirectly, regarding any pending criminal case.
The restraint applies across social media, electronic media, print media, or any other public platform, and extends to comments about the complainant, the investigating officer or the manner of investigation
The Court also barred him from contacting or communicating with co-accused or witnesses, either personally or through third parties, and directed that he shall not attempt to influence, intimidate or interfere with them in any manner. His movement has been restricted strictly to medical treatment and legal consultation, with a warning that any violation may lead to cancellation of interim bail without further reference to the Court
Significantly, the Court directed the Dean of Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital at Chennai to constitute a specialised medical board to examine Savukku Shankar’s medical condition in light of the ailments claimed by him.
He has been directed to appear before the medical board on February 2 at 8 am, and the board has been asked to submit its report to the Court in a sealed cover on or before March 3.
The Court made it explicit that the directions were issued without expressing any opinion on the merits of the pending criminal case, the related revision petition or the habeas corpus petition.
The Court also made a pointed observation on journalistic responsibility, noting that video journalists must adhere to high ethical standards to maintain public trust and credibility, particularly in digital age where misinformation poses serious challenges.