- By Nidhi Giri
- Tue, 18 Feb 2025 11:43 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia was granted interim protection from arrest by the Supreme Court on Tuesday, February 18, in the FIRs registered at Mumbai, Guwahati and Jaipur for the offence of obscenity over his remarks during an episode on comedian Samay Raina’s now-deleted web show ‘India’s Got Latent’, LiveLaw reported.
A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh heard the case. Appearing for Allahbadia, advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, said there are death threats against him. To this the bench of top court replied, “We would like to know that in this country, if this is not obscenity then what is?"
The Supreme Court came down heavily on the counsel, saying, “Do you subscribe to the language that he has used? What is the parameter of obscenity? There is height of irresponsibility. They believe that since they’ve become popular they can say anything. There’s dirt in his mind. Why should court favour such a person?"
Allahbadia’s counsel told the court that he was personally “disgusted" by the remarks made on Raina’s show, but whether it rises to the level of criminal offence is another question.
The court further reprimanded the 31-year-old YouTuber, saying, “Parents, brothers and sisters will feel ashamed with the kind of words you’ve chosen."
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India's Got Latent Controversy Top Updates
-Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as ‘BeerBiceps Guy’, is facing police inquiries in multiple states, including Maharashtra and Assam, while also being summoned by the National Commission for Women (NCW) and is likely to face a Parliament panel. In a statement, NCW said it has taken serious note of the vulgar and offensive remarks made by content creators Ranveer Allahbadia, Samay Raina, Apoorva Makhija, Jaspreet Singh, and Ashish Chanchlani, along with the show's producers, Tushar Poojari and Saurabh Bothra.
-A fresh FIR has been filed against Ranveer Allahbadia, Samay Raina, Ashish Chanchlani and Apoorva Mukhija in Rajasthan’s Jaipur. The Jai Rajputana Sangh has lodged a case under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Information Technology Act, and others.
-The Maharashtra Cyber Cell has issued a summons for Ranveer Allahbadia, directing him to appear before it on February 24. Meanwhile, comedian Samay Raina has been asked to appear before the Cyber Cell on February 18.
-However, many of those summoned failed to appear, citing personal safety concerns, prior international commitments and logistical difficulties. Allahbadia informed the Commission that he had been receiving death threats and requested a new hearing date after three weeks. NCW accepted his request and rescheduled the hearing for March 6.
-Jaspreet Singh, who is currently on tour in Paris, informed the Commission that he would return to India by March 10, 2025, and would cooperate with the inquiry. NCW rescheduled his hearing for March 11.
-Samay Raina, who is presently in the US for a pre-planned tour, assured NCW that he would be available for a hearing upon his return. The Commission accepted his request and scheduled his hearing for March 11.
-Raina issued a public apology, saying, “Everything that has been happening has been too much for me to handle. I have removed all India's Got Latent videos from my channel. My only objective was to make people laugh and have a good time. I will fully cooperate with all agencies to ensure their inquiries are concluded fairly. Thank you.”
-The controversy has led to a formal complaint being filed with the Mumbai Commissioner and the Maharashtra Women's Commission, alleging that the show contained abusive language and obscene remarks about women to gain popularity and financial benefit.
Ranveer Allahbadia’s Controversial Statement
On the show, 31-year-old ‘BeerBiceps Guy’ was heard asking a contestant: “Would you rather watch your parents have sex for the rest of your life, or would you join in once and stop it forever?" As the controversy over the remark snowballed, Samay Raina deleted all episodes of his show, and wrote on Instagram, “Everything happening has been overwhelming. My only aim was to entertain. I will fully cooperate to ensure a fair investigation."