Savukku Shankar told the Madurai Bench That He "Stands By" his Statements on Rampant Corruption in the Judiciary

Case: Registrar Judicial v Shankar

Bench: Justices GR Swaminathan and B Pugalendhi

YouTuber Savukku Shankar told the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court that he "stands by" his statements on rampant corruption in the judiciary. He submitted before the bench in the contempt of court case initiated against him for his remarks against the judiciary.

Shankar made a public statement on the YouTube channel 'Redpix' claiming that the entire judiciary is corrupted. He made the statement on July 22 following which suo motu criminal contempt proceedings were initiated against him by the Madurai bench.

On August 4, the HC sent Shankar a notice asking why contempt proceedings should not be brought against him. Currently, Shankar is facing separate contempt proceedings for attacking Justice Swaminathan personally.

The order passed during an open court hearing on 19 July 2022, the judge said his usual approach to such criticism was not to be taken seriously, but Shankar's last tweet had crossed the lakshman rekha. It was permissible to criticize stridently, but defamatory vilification was not.

Pertinently, last month the principal bench of the Madras HC restrained Shankar from making statements against Senthil Balaji, the state minister. The minister had moved the court after Shankar made allegedly defamatory statements against him in interviews.

The bench adjourned the matter to September 8, 2022, giving Shankar time to file his response.