India's Got Latent Row | Supreme Court Allows Ranveer Allahabadia To Resume His Show With Standards Of 'Decency & Morality'

The Supreme Court on Monday (March 3) lifted the restriction imposed on YouTuber & Podcaster Ranveer Allahabadia on airing shows. The Court allowed him to resume his show "The Ranveer Show" subject to furnishing an undertaking that his own shows will maintain the standards of decency and morality, so that viewers of any age group can watch.The condition to not air any shows was imposed on Ranveer Allahabadia by the Supreme Court as a condition for his interim protection from arrest in the FIRs registered by the Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Assam Police for the offence of obscenity over the comments made by him in the "India's Got Latent Show".A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh also ordered that his shows should not comment upon the proceedings which are sub-judice before the Court. Justice Kant took exception to one of the accused making comments about the case in a show conducted abroad. "These youngsters are being oversmart...they think we are outdated generation probably...one of them has gone to Canada and spoke there...they don't know the jurisdiction which this Court enjoys and what probably can be done...We don't want to because they are young, we understand...", the judge said. Justice Kant said. Allahabadia's counsel claimed that he has no connection with the person who made those comments.At the outset of the hearing, Dr.Abhinav Chandrachud, appearing for Allahabadia, informed the bench that an application has been filed to modify the condition for interim protection that Allahabadia should not air any kind of shows. Submitting that Allahabadia would not utter any word of profanity, Chandrachud requested that he be allowed to air shows, hosting spiritual leaders and professionals. The counsel submitted that Allahabadia was employing 280 persons and that he was solely dependent on YouTube videos/podcasts for his livelihood.Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta(for Union, Maharashtra and Assam Govts) submitted that he has watched the episodes of "India's Got Latent" show out of "curiosity", and found the "perversity in the program to be of another level." "Forget a man and a woman, a man and a man cannot sit together and watch the show. Myself and the learned AG cannot sit together and watch the show. Your lordships will not be able to sit together and watch the show," SG said. "The very fact that he chose to participate [in such a show]...let him remain quiet for some time," SG said. SG added that Allahabadia has not complied with the condition that he should cooperate with the Assam Police investigation. On this, Chandrachud clarified that though his client had responded to the Guwahati police notice, hedid not receive a response regarding the date and time for appearance. Justice Kant then told SG to instruct the investigating officer to inform the petitioner about the date and time.The bench also then expressed its intention to lift the restriction on airing shows, particularly considering the fact that the livelihood of over 200 families is at stake.Court stresses on the need for regulationDuring the hearing, the Court also impressed upon the Union Government the need to regulate the content in online media."We don't want any regulatory regime which leads to censorship...but it can't be a free for all. See the quality of humor he has...humor is something the entire family can enjoy, nobody feels embarrassed. Using all filthy language is not talent," Justice Kant said.SG agreed with the view, saying that "if you have to use vulgarity to make me laugh, then you are not a good comedian.""Think what can be a very limited regulatory measure which must not lead to censorship...which must have some element of control...Something needs to be done. If somebody wants to watch something..What we propose to do...try to impress upon the union what can be done... and have a healthy debate on it with all the stakeholders," Justice Kant said.In its order, the bench recorded :"Learned Attorney General for India and learned Solicitor General of India are present in Court. They submit that in order to prevent the broadcasting or airing of the programmes, which are offensive to well-known moral standards of our society, some regulatory measures may be required. We have suggested learned Solicitor General of India to deliberate upon and draft such regulatory proposal which may not encroach upon the Fundamental Right of free speech and expression but, at the same time, which is effective enough to ensure the reasonable restrictions within the meaning of Article 19(2) of the Constitution. The draft regulatory measures, in this regard, can then be brought in public domain to invite suggestions from all the stakeholders before taking any legislative or judicial measures in this regard. For this purpose, we are inclined to extend the scope of these proceedings."To recap, Allahabadia (popularly known as Beer Biceps) and Asish Chanchlani, among others, became the subject of a controversy after certain...

India's Got Latent Row | Supreme Court Allows Ranveer Allahabadia To Resume His Show With Standards Of 'Decency & Morality'

Debby Jain

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