Tamil Nadu revokes preventive detention order against Savukku Shankar under Goondas Act

The Tamil Nadu government has revoked the preventive detention order passed against YouTuber and political commentator A Shankar alias Savukku Shankar under the Tamil Nadu Goondas Act.

The State's Home, Prohibition and Excise Department issued an order to this effect on May 19, after the Advisory Board found that there was no sufficient cause to continue his detention.

“The Advisory Board has expressed its unanimous opinion that there is no sufficient cause for the detention of Thiru A Shankar @ Savukku Shankar,” the government order stated.

Accordingly, the State revoked the detention order dated April 9, 2026 passed by the Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai against Shankar under the Tamil Nadu Preventive Detention Act, 1982.

The order directed that Shankar be released forthwith from detention unless he is required to be detained in connection with any other case or is serving any sentence after conviction by a court.

The Madras High Court was slated to hear Shankar's challenge to his preventive detention tomorrow. However, the plea has now been rendered infructuous.

Shankar, aged 50, had been detained pursuant to an order passed by the Greater Chennai Police Commissioner. The detention order had classified him as a “Goonda” under the preventive detention law.

The matter was placed before the Advisory Board as required under Section 10 of the Tamil Nadu Preventive Detention Act. The Board examined the grounds of detention, the report of the detaining authority and the connected records. It also heard Shankar’s oral representation.

After considering these materials, the Board concluded that his continued detention was not justified.

The government then passed the May 19 revocation order under Section 12(2) of the 1982 Act.

Last week, the Madras High Court had granted bail to Shankar in a case alleging that he pelted stones at police personnel while being brought to Chennai after his arrest.

Justice L Victoria Gowri granted Shankar bail after noting that he was already in police custody when the alleged incident took place.

“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,” the Court had said.

[Read Notification]