YouTuber “Savukku” Shankar was officially released from prison on Friday after the new Tamilaga Vettri Kazagham government revoked his detention issued during the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazagham regime.
While Shankar has been booked and arrested in multiple cases over the years by the DMK government, he was last arrested on April 8 on charges of bypassing interim medical bail granted in December 2025.
After his release, Shankar expressed hope that the new TVK government would complete its five-year term and implement various welfare schemes for the people of the southern state.
In the order issued on May 19, the Vijay-led government said Shankar should be released immediately as there is no sufficient reason unless he is detained under another law or serves any sentence for which he has been convicted by any court.
“The Advisory Council unanimously expressed its opinion that there is no sufficient reason to arrest A Shankar alias ‘Savuku’ Shankar,” the order said.
Speaking to reporters, Shankar expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and the courts.
“Even though I came to jail repeatedly over three years, I had anxiety and fear that this hard work would go in vain. Even after the DMK lost the elections, the people of Tamil Nadu delivered a wonderful judgement.” He said.
“As far as I know, CM Vijay is running the government by understanding governance in the right way,” he added.
Responding to a query, he said: “I am hopeful that the coalition government formed by TVK will complete its five-year rule and implement various welfare schemes for the people of Tamil Nadu.”
Pointing out that a cancellation order under the Goondas Act usually takes eight to 10 days to reach the prison, he said: “In my case, I appeared before the Advisory Council on Monday and on Wednesday the Home Ministry canceled my detention as per the government order. Thanks to the personal intervention of the Prime Minister, I was able to speak to you before today.”
He added that media freedom would be strong under a coalition government in Tamil Nadu and “I believe and hope that the media will do excellently under the CM Vijay regime.”
“TVK’s victory transcended money, caste, religion and age,” he added.
