HC bail direction ordering closure of YouTube channel 'unwarranted': SC

The Supreme Court on Friday termed as unwarranted and extraneous the Madras High Court directive to YouTuber Felix Jerald to close down his channel as one of the bail conditions. The top court also confirmed its September 6 order granting bail to Jerald sans the condition asking him to close down his YouTube channel "RedPix 24x7". "The bail order of September 6 is hereby confirmed," a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Manoj Misra said after taking note of the submissions of senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the YouTuber. The bench noted that following its earlier order Jerald has been already released on bail. "One of the bail conditions (imposed by the high court) asking him to close down his YouTube channel was unwarranted and extraneous and we accordingly set aside that condition," the bench said, adding the other bail conditions will remain operational. Jerald was arrested for hosting an "objectionable" interview of another YouTuber Savukku Shankar