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Informist, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025

 

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--SC to podcaster Allahabadia: If this is not obscene, then what is?
--CONTEXT:Ranveer Allahabadia in SC against multiple FIRs for obscene remark
--SC: Just because Allahabadia is popular, he can't take society for granted 
--SC stays Allahabadia's arrest subject to joining probe when he is summoned 
--SC: No FIR to be registered against Allahabadia on basis of show 
--SC: Allahabadia, others to not do any other show for time being 

 

NEW DELHI – In a relief for podcaster Ranveer Allahabadia, who has multiple First Information Reports filed against him for making "obscene" remarks on YouTube show India's Got Latent, the Supreme Court Tuesday stayed his arrest, on the condition that he joins the investigation when authorities summon him. The apex court said no further FIRs shall be registered against Allahabadia on the basis of what he said on the show. It also barred him and his associates from doing any other show for the time being as a condition for staying the arrest. 

 

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N.K. Singh said Allahabadia may approach the local police of Maharashtra and Assam, where the FIRs were primarily registered, for protection in case of any threat that could impede his joining the probe. If any more FIRs are registered in Jaipur against Allahabadia, his arrest shall be stayed in that case as well, said the court.

 

Further, the top court asked Allahabadia to deposit his passport with the Thane police authorities, adding that he cannot leave the country without permission of the court. 

 

Earlier, the Assam Police and the Maharashtra cyber police registered separate FIRs against Allahabadia, comedian Samay Raina, content creator Ashish Chanchlani, influencer Apoorva Mukhija and others for allegedly broadcasting "obscene content". The case has its genesis from an episode of India's Got Latent, hosted by Raina. In the show, Allahabadia made a joke that caught attention for being offensive. The remark quickly triggered outrage, leading to FIRs being filed in Maharashtra and Assam. 

 

While the show was intended for a limited audience, its clips went viral, intensifying the backlash on Allahabadia's remarks. Following this, Allahabadia issued a public apology, admitting that he overstepped. Thereafter, Raina removed all videos of the show to curb further scrutiny.

 

On Tuesday, Abhinav Chandrachud, the advocate appearing for Allahabadia, said that the podcaster has received death threats, a INR 500,000 reward has been announced for cutting his tongue, and a former wrestler has said he should not be spared – all for a 10-second clip. On this, the court asked Chandrachud if he was defending the language used by his client. To this, Chandrachud replied that as an officer of the court, he was disgusted by the language.

 

Coming down heavily on Allahabadia over his remarks, the top court saod, "If this is not obscene then what is?", adding that such behaviour should be condemned. "Just because you (Allahabadia) are popular you cannot take the society for granted," said Justice Kant.

 

"Is there anyone on earth who would like this language?" asked Justice Kant. "There is something very dirty in his mind which has been vomited (by him). Why should we protect him?" 

 

On the INR 500,000 award for cutting Allahabadia's tongue, the apex court said if the podcaster can use such obscene remarks to gain popularity, then there are others too who will speak like this for some popularity. "The words you (Allahabadia) have chosen, parents will feel ashamed. Daughters and sisters will feel ashamed. The entire society will be ashamed. The pervert mind. The perversion you and your henchmen have exhibited! Rule of law and system has to be followed," said Justice Kant. 

 

Advocate Chandrachud said that people have entered the clinic of Allahabadia's mother posing as patients and threatened her. The top court said that Allahabadia should be ashamed for subjecting his parents to this. "We are not in ivory towers and we know how he copied an Australian show's content. There are warnings in such shows," it added. 

 

The bench asked the Attorney General R. Venkataramani to be present and assist the court in the next hearing. The apex court said it may not overlook the importance and sensitivity of the case and something needs to be done to regulate obscene content on YouTube and other social media.  End

 

Reported by Surya Tripathi

Edited by Tanima Banerjee

 

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