The
Supreme Court on Tuesday granted Ranveer Allahbadia protection from
arrest and ordered him to join the investigation in the obscene jokes cases.
The apex court also condemned the YouTuber for making offensive comments
on Samay Raina’s show India’s Got Latent, stating that such conduct must
be denounced. The court remarked that the podcaster harboured something
"very dirty" in his mind, which he had "vomited" on the
show.
"He
is insulting parents also! There is something dirty in this person's mind that
has been spread through this program. Why the courts should favour him?"
Justice Surya Kant stated.
He
further said, "Somebody thinks that because I have become so and so
popular, I can speak any kind of words and take the entire society for
granted...you tell us anyone in the world who would like such words!"
Allahbadia
had approached the court, seeking the consolidation of multiple FIRs filed
against him for his comments on the YouTube show.
Justice
Surya Kant remarked, "If this is not obscene, then what is? You can show
your vulgarity anytime and show depravity. There are only two FIRs. One in
Mumbai and one in Assam. Liberty is a separate issue. It is not that every case
is targetting you and you are entangled. Suppose 100 FIRs are there he can say
he cannot defend himself."
FIRs against
Allahbadia
To date, at least three FIRs
have been filed against Allahbadia — one in Assam, one in Mumbai, and another
in Jaipur filed recently on Monday. Police in Mumbai and Guwahati have reported
that the influencer is "continuously out of contact".
A
significant controversy arose from Allahbadia’s comments about “parents and
sex” on India’s Got Latent. The show has since been taken down from YouTube,
and Allahbadia issued an apology, acknowledging the remark as "not just
inappropriate, it wasn't even funny. Comedy is not my forte. I'm just here to
say sorry."
The
Maharashtra Cyber Department summoned 42 individuals, including artists,
producers, and influencers associated with India's Got Latent. "Prima
facie accused include Samay Raina, Apoorva Mukhija, and Ranveer Allahbadia.
Statements have already been recorded from Devesh Dixit, Raghu Ram, and one
other individual," said Yashasvi Yadav, Inspector General of the
Maharashtra Cyber Cell.
Last
week, Abhinav Chandrachud, representing Allahbadia, requested an urgent hearing
of the matter, but Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna declined, stating that the case
would be assigned to a Bench and addressed within two to three days.
Despite
summonses issued by the Maharashtra Cyber Department, Guwahati Police, Mumbai
Police, Jaipur Police, and the National Commission for Women (NCW) to
Allahbadia, he has not responded to any. A fresh summons from the Maharashtra
Cyber Department now requires him to appear on February 24.
Allahbadia
informed the NCW that he had been receiving death threats and requested a delay
for three weeks. The Commission granted his request and rescheduled the hearing
for March 6.
In addition to Allahbadia, FIRs have been filed
against YouTubers Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Makhija (aka
The Rebel Kid).