The saga surrounding Youtube star Ranveer Allahbadia, also known as BeerBiceps, and the web show in question—India’s Got Latent—has become a huge talk in recent days as Ranveer Allahbadia has now sought intervention from the Supreme Court of India to quash multiple FIRs filed against him in different parts of the country. The legal trouble began after derogatory remarks made by Ranveer Allahbadia in the show hosted by a comedian, Samay Raina, which were condemned, by media and elsewhere, as obscene and vulgar.
The Supreme Court’s Initial Response
On Friday, February 14, the Supreme Court was approached by a team of lawyers led by advocate Abhinav Chandrachud on behalf of Ranveer Allahbadia to relieve him from the pressures of cases coming against him. Chandcrachud sought urgent listing of the matter so that all FIRs could be consolidated and said that Assam police had already summoned Ranveer Allahbadia for questioning. He expressed his concerns over possible arrest by the Guwahati police.
Nonetheless, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna denied the request for an urgent hearing as he emphasized the standard procedure whereby cases do not get listed through verbal mentions. The bench, which also had Justice Sanjay Kumar, indicated that the matter would be filed for hearing in two or three days. Until now, the official website of the Supreme Court has not yet provided the date of hearing for the writ petition filed by Ranveer Allahbadia.
The Trigger: Controversial Remarks on India’s Got Latent
The controversy was triggered by Allahbadia’s appearance on India’s Got Latent, a YouTube talk show hosted by comedian Samay Raina featuring various personalities as judges and participants. In one episode, he asked the nauseatingly uncomfortable question: “Would you rather watch your parents having sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once and stop it forever?”.
Needless to say, the comments were condemned immediately, and they went viral on social media platforms and elsewhere. Accusations were hurled at Allahbadia; the comments were termed vulgar and obscene, not to mention the great disrespect they paid to the people in question and the audience-engaging conversation.
Legal Repercussions: Multiple FIRs and Police Investigations
Allahbadia’s alleged comments have triggered a large fallout which has ultimately registered multiple FIRs against him and other associates working for this show regarding various states.
Assam: The Assam Police registered the case by a formal complaint lodged by a resident in Guwahati. This case is claimed to be under provisions related to obscenity and public morality against Allahbadia, Raina, and other judges Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Mukhija. The Guwahati Crime Branch registered a case under different sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, IT Act, 2000, Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
Maharashtra: Similar inquiries into what transpired were also initiated by the Maharashtra Cyber Department and the Mumbai police. Comedian Samay Raina was specifically called by them for questioning in connection with the remarks made by Allahbadia. It has been reported that over 40 persons were called for questioning by the Maharashtra Cyber Department, including Allahbadia, Raina, and others.
Assam police have been pursuing the case actively, sending officers to Mumbai to serve summons on Allahbadia, Raina, and others involved.
Public Apology and Show Removal
With growing disapproval and under pressure from the authorities and the law, Allahbadia publicly apologized, stating that his comments were “insensitive and disrespectful”, and that he would try to do better. “I feel bad about the whole thing”, he said.
The host of India’s Got Latent, Samay Raina, took down the full episodes of the show on his YouTube channel. He said the situation was too big for him and promised to cooperate with the investigating agencies.
NCW Summons and Parliamentary Scrutiny
The controversy has also drawn in various national bodies. The National Commission for Women (NCW) summoned Allahbadia and Raina, along with others associated with the show, to appear in New Delhi on February 17.
The issue has even reached the Indian Parliament, where Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske complained about the urgent need for stricter laws on social media content. Now the departmental parliamentary committee on communications and information technology has called on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to submit a detailed report concerning the matter by February 17.
Allahbadia’s Whereabouts Unknown
Mysteriously, Allahbadia Is Missing. Yet, in a move that would further complicate things, the Mumbai Police mentioned that Ranveer Allahbadia has been unreachable, “His phone is switched off, and his house in Versova is locked”, officers said. According to the Mumbai police, they have not been able to get in touch with Allahbadia’s lawyer. Police involved in the case from Assam had also found the door of Allahbadia’s home locked.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
The India’s Got Latent controversy brings to light several important legal and ethical considerations:
Freedom of Speech vs. Obscenity: The current issue raises the question of whether there is indeed free speech about online content. The Indian Constitution guarantees the right to free speech, but this right is subject to reasonable restrictions in the interests of decency, morality, and public order.
Content Creator Responsibility: This incident also demonstrates that content creators are responsible for making content that is not just entertaining but also ethical and dignified. With the reach and influence of social media platforms, content creators have a major role in public discourse and must therefore be aware of how the outcome of their words and actions could affect a matter.
Regulation of Online Content: The issues arising from the controversy are the ongoing discussion around the regulation of online content. Somewhere in between is the field of regulation, which attempts to draw the line between expression that protects and expression that hurts and offends.
Conclusion
India’s Got Latent controversy and the ensuing legal imbroglio for Ranveer Allahbadia are lessons in caution regarding the power and vulnerability of online content working for a good cause. That means that anyhow the makers must take responsibility, and the regulatory bodies must come up with efficient methods of regulating online content that do not infringe upon free speech. With the imminent hearing on Allahbadia’s plea before the Supreme Court, the entire nation is watching keenly since the outcome will set a tone for online content regulation in India.
Amidst the legal mess and public outrage, Allahbadia feels threatened for his safety and that of his family, citing incidents where people barged into his mother’s clinic. He stated that he would cooperate fully with the authorities, exuding confidence in the Indian judicial system. “I’m feeling scared and I don’t know what to do. But I’m not running away”, he said.
Author
Syeda Ayesha is a 3rd year BBA LLB student at Sultan-Ul-Uloom College of Law, Hyderabad with a special interest in criminal law and family law. I have built my academic journey with legal principles from basic to advanced levels and am eager to use them in practice. I am determined to gain practical experience and learn more about the law. I am excited to have the chance to work in a dynamic legal environment for personal and professional growth.
