Supreme Court Transfers Multiple Cybercrime Cases Against A. Shankar to Coimbatore
The Supreme Court of India, in its judgment dated February 24, 2025, directed the consolidation and transfer of multiple cybercrime cases filed against A. Shankar @ Savukku Shankar to the Cyber Crime Police Station, Coimbatore City, Tamil Nadu. The Court, however, clarified that it has not commented on the merits of the allegations or the manner in which the investigation should be conducted.
Background of the Case
A. Shankar, popularly known as Savukku Shankar, a journalist and social media commentator, was booked in multiple cases under Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 1998, and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. These cases were registered across different districts of Tamil Nadu between May 3, 2024, and May 7, 2024.
The petitioner approached the Supreme Court under its writ jurisdiction, seeking relief from multiple criminal proceedings filed in different locations and requesting a consolidated investigation.
Petitioner’s Arguments (A. Shankar @ Savukku Shankar)
The petitioner’s counsel contended:
- The registration of multiple FIRs across different districts for the same set of allegations amounted to harassment.
- There was no justification for parallel investigations in different police stations.
- The scattered nature of the FIRs and the separate investigations caused undue hardship and violated the principles laid down by the Supreme Court in similar cases.
- The petitioner was willing to cooperate with the investigation if it was conducted in a consolidated manner.
Respondent’s Arguments (State of Tamil Nadu & Others)
The State of Tamil Nadu, represented by its counsel, argued:
- The allegations against the petitioner involved cyber harassment, which affected multiple complainants.
- The FIRs were filed independently by different victims, and hence, separate investigations were warranted.
- The petitioner had previously been warned by the Supreme Court regarding his conduct in Criminal Appeal No. 1845/2022.
- The State had no objection to transferring and consolidating the cases for a fair and expeditious investigation.
Supreme Court’s Observations
The Supreme Court took into consideration the principles of fair investigation and administrative efficiency. It held:
“The registration of multiple FIRs for the same set of allegations can cause undue hardship and procedural complexities. In such cases, it is appropriate to consolidate the investigations to ensure fairness and consistency.”
The Court further directed:
“Investigation in Crime No. 123/2024 dated 03.05.2024 at Cyber Crime Police Station, Coimbatore City, Tamil Nadu, shall continue. The material and evidence collected in the other cases will be examined by the Investigating Officer handling this case.”
Final Judgment
The Supreme Court ruled:
- All pending investigations related to the petitioner in different districts of Tamil Nadu are transferred to the Cyber Crime Police Station, Coimbatore City.
- The consolidated investigation will proceed under the supervision of a single Investigating Officer.
- The Supreme Court has not interfered with the merit of the allegations but has only ensured a fair and expeditious investigation.
- The respondents or any third party may move an application before the Court if the petitioner breaches previous orders passed against him.
Impact of the Judgment
This ruling has significant implications for similar cases involving multiple FIRs:
- Judicial Oversight on Multiple FIRs: The Court reaffirmed that when multiple FIRs are filed on the same subject, consolidation may be necessary to prevent harassment and procedural delays.
- Fairness in Cybercrime Investigations: The judgment ensures a structured and efficient approach to handling cybercrime cases, balancing victims’ rights with the accused’s due process rights.
- Enforcement of Previous Court Orders: The ruling serves as a warning to individuals who violate court directives, reinforcing accountability in legal proceedings.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s decision in A. Shankar @ Savukku Shankar vs. State of Tamil Nadu & Others underscores the need for a fair and centralized investigation process when multiple FIRs arise from similar allegations. By transferring the cases to Coimbatore, the Court has streamlined the investigation while ensuring that legal safeguards are upheld.
Petitioner Name: A. Shankar @ Savukku Shankar.Respondent Name: State of Tamil Nadu & Others.Judgment By: Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Kumar.Place Of Incident: Tamil Nadu.Judgment Date: 24-02-2025.
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