Madras High Court
A.Shankar @ Savukku Shankar vs The Secretary To Government on 29 July, 2025
Author: P.Velmurugan
Bench: P.Velmurugan
W.P.(Criminal) No.255 of 2025
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 29.07.2025
Coram:
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN
W.P.(Criminal) No.255 of 2025
A.Shankar @ Savukku Shankar ... Petitioner
Vs.
1. The Secretary to Government
Home Department, Secretariat
Chennai- 600 009
2. The Director General of Police
Head of the Police Force
Tamil Nadu Police
Mylapore
Chennai - 600 004
3. The Commissioner of Police
Greater Chennai City Police
Vepery
Chennai - 600 007 ... Respondents
Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India to issue a
Writ of Mandamus directing the first and second respondents to take
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W.P.(Criminal) No.255 of 2025
appropriate action on the petitioner's complaints dated 08.02.2025, 23.05.2025
and 21.06.2025 in accordance with the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Police
(Reforms) Act, 2013 and further forbearing the third respondent from
interfering with the functioning of the petitioner's organization, namely
Savuku Media, situated at No.1, Parthasarathy Nagar 3rd street, Adambakkam,
Chennai - 600 088 in any manner.
For Petitioner : Mr.P.Rajkumar
For Respondents : Mr.J.Ravindran
Additional Advocate General
Assisted by Mr.R.Muniyapparaj
Additional Public Prosecutor
ORDER
This Writ Petition (Criminal) has been filed by the petitioner to direct the first and second respondents to take appropriate action on the petitioner's complaints dated 08.02.2025, 23.05.2025 and 21.06.2025 in accordance with the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Police (Reforms) Act, 2013 and further forbearing the third respondent from interfering with the functioning of the petitioner's organization, namely Savuku Media, situated at No.1, 2/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 11/08/2025 02:39:48 pm ) W.P.(Criminal) No.255 of 2025 Parthasarathy Nagar 3rd street, Adambakkam, Chennai - 600 088 in any manner.
2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is a Video Journalist and whistle blower, committed to expose illegality, corruption, abuse of authority and misconduct perpetrated by public servants, political figures and others wielding public power. Since the petitioner has been exposing police atrocities, misconduct and inaction, he has been subjected to various unlawful actions by the Commissioner of Chennai City Police/third respondent. The petitioner and his staffs are under constant unlawful surveillance and harassment by the third respondent, amounting to misuse of state machinery, infringing their fundamental rights under Articles 19(1)(a) and 21 of Constitution of India. Hence, the petitioner filed complaints on 08.02.2025, 23.05.2025 and 21.06.2025 to the respondents 1 and 2. However, they have not taken any action amounting to statutory dereliction. Therefore, the present petition is filed.
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3. The learned Additional Advocate General appearing for the respondents submitted that based on the petitioner's representations/complaints dated 08.02.2025, 23.05.2025 and 21.06.2025, enquiry was conduct and disposed of vide proceedings of the Additional Chief Secretary to Government dated 28.07.2025 and he also produced the copies of the said proceedings.
4. At this juncture, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the copies of the said proceedings were not served to him. Hence, the learned Additional Advocate General handed over the copies of the same to the learned counsel for the petitioner.
5. Further, when the matter came up before this Court on 14.07.2025, this Court had directed the Additional Advocate General to file counter affidavit and also a report as to how many complaints filed against the petitioner are pending at the enquiry stage, how many of them registered in FIR, how many of them culminated in charge sheet and how many case are pending for trial.
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6. Accordingly, the second respondent has filed a report stating that there are totally 38 cases pending against the petitioner out of which, 13 cases are under investigation, 24 cases charge sheets have been filed and the same have also been taken on file by various Courst and one case in Crime No.173 of 2024 has been closed as "Mistake of Fact". The details of which are as follows:
Under Investigation-13 S. District & P.S. Crime Number Current No. Status 1 Kanchipuram Crime No.60/2024 State - UI S.V.ChathirmP.S. U/s.147, 294(nb), 353, 506(i) IPC 2 Coimbatore City Crime No.231/2024 State - UI C2 Race Course U/s.153, 153(A)(1)(a), 153(A)(1) (b), 504, L&O PS 505(ii) IPC 3 Chennai City Crime No.42/2024 State - UI D1 Triplicane PS U/s.143 IPC and 41(6) CP Act 4 Chennai City Crime No.221/2022 State - UI E1 Mylapore PS U/s.384, 120B, 294(b), 506(ii) IPC 5 Chennai City Crime No.154/2024 State - UI Delta-4 U/s.294(b), 354D, 506(i), 509 of IPC, Sec.4 of TNPHW Act 1998 6 Chennai City Crime No.323/2024 U/s.196(1(a),196(1)(b), State - UI Dlta-1 197(1)(c) and 353(2) of BNS 2023 5/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 11/08/2025 02:39:48 pm ) W.P.(Criminal) No.255 of 2025 S. District & P.S. Crime Number Current No. Status 7 Chennai City Crime No.241/2024 State - UI LFIW-II Gamma-5 U/s.21, 222, 353(1), 353(2) BNS 8 Chennai City Crime No.187/2025 State - UI C3 Seven Wells PS U/s.189(4),296(b),351(2),109(1),61(2)(a) BNS 9 Trichy Crime No.10/2025 State - UI CCD -III U/s.296,132,3(5),67IT Act & 4 of WH Act 10 Chennai City Crime No.17 of 2025 U/s.79, 224, 132, 351(2), State - UI South CCD-1 308(2), 353(1)(b), 353(2) & 4 of WH Act 11 Chennai City Crime No.185/2025 State - UI St.Thomas Mount PS U/s.126(2), 132, 351 BNS 12 Chennai City Crime No.22/2025 U/s.79, 224, 132, 351(2), State - UI Soth Zone Cyber 308(2), 353(1)(b), 353(2) & 4 of WH Act 13 Trichy City Crime No.11/2025 State - UI Ctyber Crime PS U/s. 67 IT Act, 4 of TNPHW Act 2022, 3(5), 79, 353(1), 49 & 54 BNS Act Pending Trial Cases - 24 S. District & P.S. Crime Number Current Status No. 1 Chennai City Crime No.141/2020 U/s.504, CC.No.398/2025 by XI MM CCB Delta 2 505(1)(b) and 505(2) IPC Cout, Saidapet, Stage: PT 2 Chennai City Crime No.50/2021 CC.No.1287/2025 by XI MM CCB Delta 2 U/s.5(1)(a), 5(1)(d) and 5(2) of Cout, Saidapet, Official Secrets Act Stage:PT 6/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 11/08/2025 02:39:48 pm ) W.P.(Criminal) No.255 of 2025 S. District & P.S. Crime Number Current Status No. 3 Chennai City Crime No.51/2021 Charge Sheet was filed before the CCB Delta 2 U/s. 153, 505(1)(b), 506(1) XI MM and obtained IPC @ U/s. 153, 506 (1) IPC CC.No.1350/2024 on 09.7.2024.
During trial the learned XI Metropolitan Magistrate discharged the accused Savukku Shankar, on 28.02.2025.
Subsequently, a Criminal Appeal petition was filed before the Principal Sessions Court on 08.07.2025 in Crl.M.P. No.5549/2025, appealing against the discharge order passed by the XI Metropolitan Magistrate Court.
Stage: PT 4 Chennai City Crime No.158/2024 CC.No.852/2025 by XI MM CCB Delta 2 U/s.465, 466, 471,, 474, r/w Cout, Saidapet 420 IPC @ 109, 153, 384, 465, Stage:PT 466, 469, 471, 474 r/w 420 of IPC & 149 of Cr.P.C.
5 Trichy City Crime No.10/2024 CC.No.638/2025 by Additional Cantonment U/s. 189. 353, 354, 509, 506 (i) Mahila Court, Trichy AWPS IPC & 4 of TNPHW Act Stage:PT 6 Theni Crime No.195/2024 CC.No.214/2024 by II Additional PC Patty PS U/s.294(b), 353, 506(ii) IPC & District Judge for NDPS a 4 of TNPHW Act & 8(c) r/w Combined Court Madurai 20(b) II(A),29(1) and 25 Stage:PT NDPS Act 7/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 11/08/2025 02:39:48 pm ) W.P.(Criminal) No.255 of 2025 S. District & P.S. Crime Number Current Status No. 7 Karur Crime No.384/2024 CC.No.3877/2025 by Judicial Karur Town PS U/s.406, 420, 294(b), 324, Magistrate-I, Karur, 506(2) of IPC Stage:PT 8 Coimbatore Crime No.123/2024 CC.No.696/2024 by Judicial City U/s. 294(b), 353, 509, 109, 201 Magistrate IV, Coimbatore Cyber-Crime PS of IPC & 67 B IT Act Stage:PT 9 Coimbatore Crime No.86/2025 Transferred from CCB, GCP, City U/s. 294(b), 506(i) of IPC Judicial Magistrate IV Cyber-Crime PS D/O.30.04.2024 Coimbatore D/R:08/04/2025 @ 16.30 hrs. CC.No.2559/2025 Dt: 19.07.2025 Stage:PT 10 Coimbatore Crime No.76/2025 Transferred from Trichy Disrict City U/s. 67 of IT Act & 4 of Cyber PS Cyber-Crime PS TNPHW Act read with Judicial Magistrate IV 294(b), 353, 509 of IPC Coimbatore, CC.No.2560/2025 Dt: 19.07.2025 Stage:PT 11 Coimbatore Crime No.81/2025 Transferred from Trichy City City U/s. 294(b), 353, 509 of IPC, Cyber PS Cyber-Crime PS Sec. 4 of TNPHW Act & Sec. Judicial Magistrate IV, 67 of IT Act 2000 Coimbatore, CC.No.2563/2025 Dt: 19.07.2025 Stage:PT 12 Coimbatore Crime No.82/2025 Transfrred from Perambalur City U/s.294(b), 353, 509 of IPC, District, Cyber PS Cyber-Crime PS Se.4 of TNPHW Act & Sec. 67 Judicial Magistrate IV, of IT Act, 2000 Coimbatore, CC No.2575/2025 Dt: 19.07.2025 Stage:PT 8/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 11/08/2025 02:39:48 pm ) W.P.(Criminal) No.255 of 2025 S. District & P.S. Crime Number Current Status No. 13 Coimbatore Crime No.83/2025 Transfrred from Sivagangai City U/s. 67 of IT Act, 4 of District Cyber PS Cyber-Crime PS TNPHW Act, 294(b), 353, 509 Judicial Magistrate IV, of IPC Coimbatore, CC No.2564/2025 Dt: 19.07.2025 Stage:PT 14 Coimbatore Crime No.87/2025 Transferred from Nagapattinam City U/s.294(b), 509, 353 of IPC & Cyber PS. Cyber-Crime PS 4 of TNPHW Act & 67 of IT Judicial Magistrate IV, Act Coimbatore, CC. No.2558/2025 Dt: 19.07.2025 Stage:PT 15 Coimbatore Crime No.88/2025 Transfrrred from Nilgiri Cyber City U/s.294(b), 353, 509 of IPC, PS Cyber-Crime PS Sec.4 of TNPHW Act & Judicial Magistrate IV, Sec.67 of IT Act 2000 Coimbatore CC. No.2565/2025 Dt: 19.07.2025 Stage:PT 16 Coimbatore Crime No.89/2025 Transferred from Kumari City U/s.294(b), 353, 509 of IPC, Marthandam AWPS Cyber-Crime PS Sec.4 of TNPHW Act & Judicial Magistrate IV, Sec.67 of IT Act 2000 Coimbatore, CC. No.2557/2025 Dt: 19.07.2025 Stage:PT 17 Coimbatore Crime No.85/2025 Transferred from Salem City City U/s.294(b), 353, 509 of IPC, Cyber Cyber-Crime PS Sec.4 of TNPHW Act & Judicial Magistrate IV, Sec.67 of IT Act 2000 Coimbatore, CC.No.2584/2025 Dt: 19.07.2025 Stage:PT 18 Coimbatore Crime No.84/2025 Transferred from TBM City City U/s.294(b), 353, 509 of IPC, Selaiyur PS Cyber-Crime PS Sec.4 of TNPHW Act & Judicial Magistrate IV, Sec.67 of IT Act 2000 Coimbatore, CC No.2562/2025 Dt: 19.07.2025 Stage:PT 9/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 11/08/2025 02:39:48 pm ) W.P.(Criminal) No.255 of 2025 S. District & P.S. Crime Number Current Status No. 19 Coimbatore Crime No.80/2025 Transferred from Ranipet Distrcti City U/s.294(b), 353, 509 of IPC, Cyber PS Cyber-Crime PS Sec.4 of TNPHW Act & Judicial Magistrate IV, Sec.67 of IT Act 2000 Coimbatore, CC. No.2582/2025 Dt: 19.07.2025 Stage:PT 20 Coimbatore Crime No.79/2025 Transferred from Villupuram City U/s.294(b), 353, 509 of IPC, District Cyber PS Cyber-Crime PS Sec.4 of TNPHW Act & Judicial Magistrate IV, Sec.67 of IT Act 2000 Coimbatore, CC. No.2583/2025 Dt: 19.07.2025 Stage:PT 21 Coimbatore Crime No.90/2025 Transferred from TIN City City U/s.294(b), 353, 509 of IPC, Medical College PS Cyber-Crime PS Sec.4 of TNPHW Act & Judicial Magistrate IV, Sec.67 of IT Act 2000 Coimbatore, CC. No.2580/2025 Dt: 19.07.2025 Stage:PT 22 Coimbatore Crime No.77/2025 Transferred from Madurai City U/s.294(b), 353, 509 of IPC, District Cuber PS Cyber-Crime PS Sec.67 of IT Act & Sec.4 of Judicial Magistrate IV, TNPHW Act Coimbatore, CC No.2561/2025 Dt: 19.07.2025 Stage:PT 23 Coimbatore Crime No.78/2025 Transferred from Dindigul Dist.
City U/s.294(b), 509, 353 of IPC, Cyber PS.
Cyber-Crime PS Sec.4 of TNPHW Act, Sec.67 Judicial Magistrate IV,
of IT Act Coimbatore,
CC. No.2581/2025
Dt: 19.07.2025
Stage:PT
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W.P.(Criminal) No.255 of 2025
S. District & P.S. Crime Number Current Status
No.
24 Chennai City Crime No.242/2020 Interim stay granted by this Court
CCB Delta-4 U/s. 153, 505(1)(b) IPC @ on 08.02.2024 in Crl.O.P.
U/s.153 IPC No.2495/2024 for 4 weeks. Stay
vacation pettion filed on
28.03.2024 before this Court and
approved by High Court APP-
Stage- NTF
Disposed of-1
S.No. District & P.S. Crime Number Current Status
1 Pudukottai District Crime No.173/2024 State-MF
Aranthangi PS U/s.420, 294(b), 506(ii) (LTN 2022000134C2025 00169)
IPC
7. It is seen from the above report that already several complaints have been registered against the petitioner, in which some cases are under investigation and in some of the cases charge sheets have been filed and the petitioner is facing trial. Therefore, prima facie there is no material to show that the third respondent is interfering with the functioning of the petitioner's organization.
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8. Since there are several cases pending against the petitioner, the jurisdictional police are directed to complete the investigation in the said 13 cases which are pending investigation and file the charge sheet within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
9. Further, the Courts concerned are directed to expedite the trial in the said 24 cases and dispose of the same within a reasonable time provided within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
10. With the above directions, this Writ Petition (Criminal) is dismissed.
11. However, the petitioner is at liberty to work out his remedy in the manner known to law, if he is so aggrieved by the proceedings dated 28.07.2025.
29.07.2025
Index : Yes / No
Speaking Order : Yes / No
Neutral Citation Case : Yes/No
ksa-2
Note: Registry is directed to communicate this order to the Police Stations and Courts concerned as mentioned in the tabular column.
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1. The Secretary to Government Home Department, Secretariat Chennai- 600 009
2. The Director General of Police Head of the Police Force Tamil Nadu Police Mylapore Chennai - 600 004
3. The Commissioner of Police Greater Chennai City Police Vepery Chennai - 600 007
4.The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras, Chennai.
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