The Chennai High Court has revoked the Goondas Act imposed on YouTuber Savukku Shankar, following a petition filed by his mother. The court questioned the state government's actions against individuals expressing opinions.
Coimbatore: The Chennai High Court has ordered the revocation of the Goondas Act imposed on YouTuber Savukku Shankar, in response to a petition filed by his mother seeking the cancellation of the preventive detention order.
The Tamil Nadu government had justified its actions in court, stating that Savukku Shankar was detained under the Goondas Act for consistently making defamatory comments against women police officers and the government. However, the High Court raised a critical question, asking how many people in Tamil Nadu have been arrested so far for expressing opinions against the government.
This ruling comes as a significant development in the ongoing debate about freedom of speech and the use of preventive detention laws in Tamil Nadu. The court's decision to revoke the Goondas Act against Savukku Shankar highlights the judiciary's role in balancing public order concerns with individual rights.
The case has drawn attention to the use of the Goondas Act, which is typically employed against habitual offenders involved in serious crimes. Its application to a social media commentator has sparked discussions about the appropriate use of such stringent laws in cases involving speech and expression.
The Tamil Nadu government had justified its actions in court, stating that Savukku Shankar was detained under the Goondas Act for consistently making defamatory comments against women police officers and the government. However, the High Court raised a critical question, asking how many people in Tamil Nadu have been arrested so far for expressing opinions against the government.
This ruling comes as a significant development in the ongoing debate about freedom of speech and the use of preventive detention laws in Tamil Nadu. The court's decision to revoke the Goondas Act against Savukku Shankar highlights the judiciary's role in balancing public order concerns with individual rights.
The case has drawn attention to the use of the Goondas Act, which is typically employed against habitual offenders involved in serious crimes. Its application to a social media commentator has sparked discussions about the appropriate use of such stringent laws in cases involving speech and expression.