Police arrest YouTuber Shankar from Chennai home – with a little help from fire department

Five members of Shankar’s team were also detained, the police confirmed.

According to officers, when police arrived at Shankar’s house on Saturday morning, he refused to let the investigating officer inside, insisting that the police first speak to his lawyers.

Video footage from outside the house showed two uniformed officers standing at the entrance, telling those inside that they were prepared to disclose the grounds of arrest if the details were sought “in a proper manner” through advocates.

As the door remained shut, Fire and Rescue Services personnel were summoned, with officials indicating they were prepared to break the door open if necessary. The standoff ended shortly after with the door being broken down and Shankar being whisked away by the police.

As police waited outside, Shankar put out a live video on his social media platforms, alleging that the case against him was fabricated and motivated.

“The police issued summons in October and I replied stating that the said film producer had never visited my office, nor did I seek money to remove any video,” Shankar said, adding the police were acting at the behest of a senior official.

The police said the arrest followed due process and was based on specific allegations that required custodial questioning.

A former police department staff member, Shankar has carved out a large following by publishing videos that accuse politicians, police officers and judges of corruption and abuse of power.

He has been arrested multiple times over the past four years.