After multiple complaints and criminal proceedings were initiated across various states against YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia over his comments on the comedy show India's Got Latent, the podcaster has petitioned the Supreme Court seeking protection from coercive action. Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps, filed a writ petition on Friday, February 14, under Article 32 of the Constitution, challenging the multiple FIRs against him before Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna for urgent listing. However, declining to advance the scheduled hearing, CJI Khanna stated, “We have already given a date of listing. No oral mentioning please! (sic)”
The episode in question, featuring Ranveer Allahbadia, was uploaded on YouTube on February 8 as part of stand-up comedian Samay Raina’s show India’s Got Latent, which has a global subscriber base of over 7.3 million. Ranveer Allahbadia had asked a contestant a controversial question about their parents' sexual relationship during a recent episode of the show. Known for its bold comedic content, the show has now become the center of controversy and has been receiving backlash for its vulgar comedy.
Meanwhile, the Khar police in Mumbai have issued a second summons to Ranveer Allahbadia, asking him to appear for questioning on February 14 after he failed to appear earlier on February 13 despite being given a deadline of 3 pm.
So far, the police have recorded statements from seven individuals, including well-known YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani, content creator Apoorva Makhija, and the father of Balraj Singh Ghai, the owner of The Habitat Studio. Production manager and chief programmer Tushar Pujari, along with three other studio employees, have also provided their testimonies in the case.
The cyber cell and Mumbai Police are conducting separate investigations into Allahbadia’s remarks on the show. An Assam Police team is also in Mumbai in connection with the investigation and met Maharashtra cyber cell officials on Thursday.
Amid the controversy, Samay Raina, on February 12, claimed to have removed all videos of the show from YouTube, asserting that his intention was only to entertain and make people laugh.
(With IANS inputs)