The Madras High Court has given the green light to the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) to challenge the acquittal of YouTuber 'Savukku' Shankar in a case involving the alleged theft of electronic data from the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) office back in 2008.

This decision comes after a prolonged legal process that started with a petition by the prosecution in 2017 seeking permission to appeal a verdict by a session court dated February 24, 2017. The YouTuber, accused of accessing confidential data while serving as a special assistant in the DVAC's office in Chennai, allegedly did so out of frustration over a denied promotion.

According to the CB-CID, the alleged theft occurred when the legal advisor to DVAC, N. Vijayarajan, was absent from his office, providing an opportunity for the accused to access his computer and transfer audio files onto a pen drive. One of these files contained a conversation between high-ranking officials, which was subsequently made public through various media channels.

The trial court, however, ruled in favor of the accused, citing insufficient evidence to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Despite the CB-CID's appeal filed in June 2017, progress in the case remained stagnant until recently.

With the Madras High Court granting leave to appeal, the legal battle is set to continue, shedding light on a case that has been in the spotlight for its implications on data security and accountability within government institutions.