Madras High Court Grants Bail To Savukku Shankar In Alleged Extortion Case, Orders Daily Appearance Before Police

Justice R Sakthivel granted bail after noting that the investigation was complete and the chargesheet had been filed.

The case is registered under Sections 296(b), 351(2), 308(3), 131, 115(2), 109, 353 (1)(b), and 61 (2)(b) of the BNS over allegations of Shankar demanding a sum of Rs 10,00,000 for removing an allegedly defamatory post.

According to the prosecution, Shankar made defamatory statements regarding an upcoming movie, “Red and Follow”, alleging that the movie was being produced using money derived from the sale of narcotic drugs. When the de facto complainant, the producer of the movie, demanded that Shankar remove the defamatory and damaging content, Shankar allegedly demanded a sum of Rs 10,00,000.

Later, when the producer went to Shankar's office to meet him, Shankar and his men are alleged to have used filthy language, assaulted him and threatened to do away with his life, while kicking him in his private parts. It was also alleged that Shankar and his men snatched a sum of Rs 1,00,000 from his possession. Thus, he lodged a complaint.

It may be noted that in December last year, Shankar was granted interim bail for a period of 3 months by a vacation bench of the High Court. Since the interim bail was primarily granted due to health concerns, the court had later directed setting up of a medical board to assess Shankar's health condition. Taking note of the board's report, the court had closed pleas against his solitary confinement and sought specialised medical treatment.

Though Shankar had previously moved the Sessions Court seeking bail, his petition was dismissed by the court, taking note of the gravity of the offence, nature of allegations levelled against Shankar, his conduct to deliberately evade judicial process, and his failure to obey previous directions of the High Court. Following the dismissal of bail by the Sessions Court, Shankar had approached the High Court.

Shankar denied the allegations raised by the de facto complainant, terming it as inherently improbable and unbelievable. He argued that the present case was falsely foisted against him in continuation to the multiple proceedings against him, in an attempt to silence him.

Shankar argued that in the present case, the police had filed the chargesheet on March 23 2026 which was taken on file on the same day by the Magistrate. He alleged that the police had hurriedly filed the chargesheet since Shankar had filed a petition on the same day seeking to transfer the investigation to the CBI.

Shankar argued that since the chargesheet had been filed, no further custodial interrogation was necessary. He also informed the court that he was willing to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by the court.

Taking note of the fact that the chargesheet had been filed and taken on file, the court was inclined to grant bail and ordered accordingly. The court has however, asked Shankar to appear before the Adambakkam police daily.

Case Title: Shankar @ Savukku Shankar v Inspector of Police

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 216

Case No: Crl OP 12369 of 2026