The Tamil Nadu police once again arrested well-known YouTuber Savukku Shankar from his residence located on the Pallavaram–Thoraipakkam Radial Road on Saturday (13 December 2025).
‘Savukku’ Shankar who runs a YouTube channel is known for his no-holds barred attack on the ruling DMK government.
So far, the city police have not made any official statement clarifying the grounds or the specific case under which he was arrested.
The arrest followed several hours of tense scenes that began in the morning. Shankar, who lives with his elderly mother, refused to open the door of his apartment, insisting that the police first explain the reasons for his arrest to his legal counsel.
Videos shared by Shankar from inside his flat, along with footage posted by one of his lawyers or supporters from outside, showed that although a group of advocates had reached the spot, the police maintained that they would disclose the details of the arrest only after Shankar opened the door, and that too in the presence of his lawyers.
Police personnel from the Meenambakkam and Madipakkam police stations arrived at the apartment complex early in the day to carry out the arrest. According to police, Shankar initially refused to open the door, insisting that officers explain the grounds for his arrest first to his lawyers. Videos circulating on social media showed discussions between the police and advocates at the entrance, with officers saying they were ready to show the warrant and provide details if requested through proper legal channels.
As the deadlock dragged on, the city police sought the help of the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services to force open the main door. Shankar was finally taken into custody at around 2.15 pm, following which a search was conducted inside the apartment.
Earlier, Shankar had posted a video claiming the legal action was based on a “false” complaint, saying he had responded in writing to police summons issued in late October and denied the allegations that he and his team assaulted the complainant or demanded money.
He also suggested the arrest was linked to a UPI transaction of ₹94,000 received by an employee
He stated that neither he nor his team knew the sender of the money and were attempting to trace its source. However, the police, he alleged, had registered a case based on a complaint from an individual who claimed they were threatened by Shankar and his associates into transferring the amount.
BJP Condemns Arrest
BJP Tamil Nadu President Nainar Nagenthran in an X post said that the fascist DMK government is strangling freedom of expression.
“At a time when predators who endanger women’s safety, drug traffickers, and hardened anti-social elements continue to operate freely across Tamil Nadu, what extraordinary urgency justified arresting a media spokesperson with the theatrics reserved for terrorists? The DMK government appears less interested in tackling real threats to public safety and more focused on targeting and intimidating media voices that question those in power. A regime that treats dissent as a crime and seeks to suffocate freedom of expression will ultimately collapse under the weight of its own fascist impulses.”, Nainar Nagenthran said.
கருத்து சுதந்திரத்தின் கழுத்தை நெறிக்கும் பாசிச திமுக அரசு!
கடப்பாறையை வைத்து வீட்டின் கதவை உடைத்து ஊடகவியலாளர் திரு. @SavukkuOfficial அவர்களைத் திமுக அரசின் ஏவல்துறை கைது செய்துள்ளது மிகுந்த கண்டனத்திற்குரியது.
பெண்களின் பாதுகாப்பை வேட்டையாடிய மனித மிருகங்களும், போதை கடத்தல்…
— Nainar Nagenthran (@NainarBJP) December 13, 2025
Source: Deccan Herald
