Supreme Court Grants Relief to YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia Amid Controversy

New Delhi:

The Supreme Court has provided temporary relief to YouTube personality Ranveer Allahbadia, embroiled in a controversy over remarks made about parents and sex during an episode of the stand-up show India’s Got Latent. The court has ruled that no further police cases can be filed against him in this matter.

The court also addressed Allahbadia’s claims of receiving death threats directed at him and his family, stating that he may approach Maharashtra and Assam police for “protection of life and liberty, in case of threats.” Additionally, he was assured that he would not be arrested by authorities in Maharashtra or Assam as long as he cooperates with the investigation. However, he remains under scrutiny regarding a third complaint filed in Jaipur.

While granting him protection from arrest, the Supreme Court directed him to surrender his passport to police in Maharashtra’s Thane district. He has been prohibited from leaving the country without judicial approval. Furthermore, the court imposed a ban on Allahbadia and his associates from participating in stand-up comedy or ‘roast’ shows until further notice. The court also sought a response from the central government regarding guidelines for regulating ‘obscene’ content on social media.

Court Criticizes Ranveer Allahbadia’s Remarks

A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh heard Allahbadia’s plea for clubbing multiple FIRs and seeking anticipatory bail, following a Guwahati Police investigation that sent a team to his Mumbai residence last week.

During the hearing, Allahbadia’s counsel, Abhinav Chandrachud, admitted his client’s comments were inappropriate, stating, “I cannot defend him on moral grounds.” However, he questioned whether the remarks legally constituted a criminal offense.

Justice Kant strongly condemned the statements, asserting, “If this is not obscenity in this country, then what is?” He accused Allahbadia of spreading inappropriate content through his platform, emphasizing the societal embarrassment caused by his remarks.

“The words you have chosen… parents will be ashamed, and sisters will be ashamed. The entire society will feel ashamed. The perversion you and your associates have exhibited!” Justice Kant remarked, indicating that such content cannot be excused under the guise of entertainment.

Despite the stern reprimand, the court acknowledged Allahbadia’s security concerns, assuring that legal protections would be extended against threats. “We have a judicial system bound by the rule of law. If there are threats, the law will take its course,” the bench noted.

Multiple Police Cases and Threats

Allahbadia faces multiple police complaints and a summons from the National Commission for Women, which he failed to attend on March 6, citing threats and a reported bounty of Rs 5 lakh on his head.

Other individuals connected to the show, including host Samay Raima and participant Apoorva Makhija, have also reported threats and are named in police complaints. Influencer Ashish Chanchalani has also been implicated in the case.

Over the weekend, Allahbadia expressed fear for his safety, claiming threats against his family and an alleged invasion of his mother’s medical clinic. Despite this, he stated his intention not to back down.

Following his absence from a scheduled police inquiry, officers from Mumbai and Guwahati attempted to locate him at his Mumbai residence, but found the premises locked. His request to provide his statement from home was reportedly denied.

While the Mumbai Police have yet to file a case against him, they have recorded statements from several individuals, including Makhija and Chanchalani. Investigations continue under both Guwahati Police and Maharashtra’s Cyber Department.

Ranveer Allahbadia’s Apology

In response to the backlash, Allahbadia issued a public apology, admitting that his comments were inappropriate.

“My comment wasn’t just inappropriate… it was not even funny. Comedy is not my forte, I am just here to say sorry,” he stated in a video message. He acknowledged misusing his platform and added, “I had a lapse in judgment. It wasn’t cool on my part.”

On Saturday, he further apologized, admitting, “My remark about parents was insensitive and disrespectful, and I am genuinely sorry.”

The controversy surrounding Allahbadia has reignited debates on the boundaries of free speech and obscenity in digital content, prompting the Supreme Court to seek government input on regulating online content.