‘Savukku’ Shankar presents falsehoods as facts for financial gain, IPS officer Arun alleges before Madras High Court
In his defamation suit, the police officer says the YouTuber gives a false impression to people as if he possesses confidential, authentic, and inside information concerning senior police officers, politicians, public servants, businessmen, corporate entities, and others in positions of responsibility
Indian Police Service officer A. Arun alleged before the Madras High Court that YouTuber 'Savukku' Shankar habitually spreads false information, fabricates narratives, and disseminates misleading data for sensationalism, personal vilification, public attention, increased online engagement, and financial benefit. In a defamation suit seeking ₹1 crore in damages, Mr. Arun accused the YouTuber of presenting falsehood as facts concerning senior police officers, politicians, public servants, businessmen, and corporate entities.
Justice K. Govindarajan Thilakavadi has granted time until September 16, 2026, for Mr. Shankar to respond to the allegations. The plaintiff, a 1998 batch IPS officer from Tamil Nadu cadre, claimed to have earned respect, reputation, and goodwill throughout his career, but the YouTuber had been targeting him for some time. Mr. Arun claimed that the YouTuber repeatedly abused freedom of speech and expression and sought to misuse online platforms to tarnish and damage his reputation, character, integrity, and professional standing.
In the plaint, Mr. Arun listed links to offending YouTube videos, X posts, and other defamatory content against him on social media platforms. The YouTuber had referred to the IPS officer as 'gangster,' 'coolie' working for political masters, a 'person manipulating the criminal justice system for extraneous purposes,' and a 'corrupt individual.'
In most videos, the IPS officer was named, and in others, he was described as 'ice cream officer' or just 'ice cream.' Denying the allegations, Mr. Arun said the YouTuber falsely tweeted on July 15, 2026, that there was an income tax search at the plaintiff's residence, and his wife, an Indian Revenue Service officer, was facing corruption charges.
The tweet was replaced with a false claim of officials from the Directorate of Enforcement arriving at the IPS officer's residence for a search, with photos of the couple used to lend a false appearance of authenticity.
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