By The Sampadak Express
In a significant development, the Supreme Court has provided a measure of relief to YouTube personality Ranveer Allahbadia, who was embroiled in a controversy following his comments about parents and sex on a recent 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 relation to this matter.
Allahbadia, who claimed to have received death threats to both himself and his family, has also been given the option to approach the Maharashtra or Assam police for protection. The court made it clear that he would not face arrest, provided he cooperates with ongoing investigations and the third complaint filed against him in Jaipur. However, Allahbadia was ordered to deposit his passport with the police in Thane, Maharashtra, and warned not to leave the country without court approval. Furthermore, he was barred from participating in any stand-up comedy or ‘roast’ shows until further notice.
The court has also directed the central government to respond on the matter of setting guidelines for ‘obscene’ content on social media.
Court’s Scathing Remarks on Allahbadia’s Comments
During Tuesday’s hearing, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh heard Allahbadia’s plea to combine multiple FIRs and seek anticipatory bail to avoid arrest. The proceedings began with Allahbadia’s lawyer, Abhinav Chandrachud, expressing his personal disgust over the comments made by Allahbadia, acknowledging that he could not defend them on moral grounds. However, Chandrachud argued whether the comments constituted a criminal offense.
Justice Kant, visibly irate, questioned, “If this is not obscenity in this country, then what is it?” The bench did not hold back in its criticism of the YouTuber, with Justice Kant stating, “There is something dirty in his mind that is spread by this programme.” He further condemned Allahbadia’s behavior, stating that his comments had caused embarrassment to his parents and society at large, and questioned why the court should entertain such individuals.
The bench also expressed concern over the potential harm to families and society, citing the inappropriate nature of the comments, especially regarding sensitive topics like parents and siblings.
Despite the harsh rebuke, the court acknowledged the threats Allahbadia had received and emphasized that if his life and liberty were at risk, the law would take its course to ensure his safety. The court also assured that Allahbadia would be provided necessary protection by the state.
Ongoing Threats and Investigations
Along with facing multiple police cases, Allahbadia has been summoned by the National Commission of Women on March 6, after missing a previous hearing due to the death threats. He and his associates have also been named in police cases, including show host Samay Raima and participant Apoorva Makhija, who also reported receiving threats.
Allahbadia admitted to being “scared” by the threats but stood firm, stating he would not back down. “I am watching death threats pour in from people saying they want to kill me… hurt my family,” he said, recounting an incident where his mother’s medical clinic was reportedly ‘invaded’.
While he has not yet appeared before the authorities, police from both Mumbai and Guwahati have been searching for him after his failure to cooperate with investigations. Mumbai Police has so far recorded statements from several individuals, and separate investigations are being conducted by Guwahati Police and Maharashtra’s Cyber Department.
Allahbadia’s Apology
In the aftermath of the controversy, Allahbadia issued an apology, acknowledging his lapse in judgment. In a video message, he said, “My comment wasn’t just inappropriate, it wasn’t even funny. Comedy is not my forte, and I am here to say sorry.” He admitted to misusing his platform and expressed regret over his comments, which he recognized as insensitive and disrespectful.
He further apologized for his remarks about parents, calling them “insensitive” and “disrespectful,” and said he was genuinely sorry for the harm caused.
The case continues to unfold as investigations into the controversy and the related threats persist, with Allahbadia’s legal team seeking clarity on the future course of action.
