India's Got Latent Row | Investigation Likely To Be Over In 2 Weeks; Supreme Court Defers Ranveer Allahabadia's Plea For Passport Release

The Supreme Court today deferred by 2 weeks YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia's plea for release of his passport, after it was informed that the ongoing investigation in the FIRs registered against Allahabadia (over his remarks during the "India's Got Latent" show) is likely to be completed in 2 weeks.For context, Allahabadia had to deposit his passport with the Investigating Officer at Thane Police Station, as part of conditions imposed on him by the Supreme Court, while granting interim protection in the cases registered across different states over the subject remarks.Today, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh heard the matter. The order was dictated thus:"Ld. Solicitor General informs that investigation in ongoing FIRs is likely to be completed in 2 weeks. Since petitioner might be required to join ongoing investigations, his prayer for release of passport/to travel abroad will be considered after the investigations are complete...Post these matters for further consideration on 21 April. Interim directions/protections to continue."During the hearing, Allahabadia's counsel, Dr. Abhinav Chandrachud, urged that his livelihood depends on interviewing personalities, both within and outside country. As far as interviews scheduled outside the country, there is no fixed date and Allahabadia has to travel from time to time to meet the team members of the personality sought to be interviewed.The counsel further informed that Allahabadia has complied with earlier directions of the Court and given a statement before Mumbai police, Guwahati police as well as National Commission for Women. He has also filed an undertaking before the Court that his show, for which online podcast was permitted, will maintain decency and not mention any sub-judice issues, the counsel said.Taking note, Justice Kant enquired the status of investigation, to which SG Tushar Mehta responded by saying that the investigation is ongoing and will likely be completed in 2 weeks. At this point, Justice Kant posed to Chandrachud,"If we allow you (Allahabadia) to travel frequently, then investigation is likely to be hampered...you may be required for investigation, then you are not there, nobody can blame you why you are not there...They are hopefully completing (investigation) in 2 weeks, we will take up after 2 weeks...then we will permit you to...".Incidentally, besides Allahabadia, the bench was also dealing with the plea of YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani, against whom as well FIRs were registered across states over the remarks made on the "India's Got Latent" show.When Senior Advocate Ajay Tewari (for Chanchlani) and Chandrachud stressed on the YouTubers' prayer to club the impugned FIRs, Justice Kant said, "we will see what is to be done".To recap, Allahabadia (popularly known as Beer Biceps) and Chanchlani, among others, became the subject of a controversy after certain video clips from an episode of comedian Samay Raina's Youtube show "India's Got Latent" went viral. Besides Allahabadia, Raina and Chanchlani, YouTube celebrities Jaspreet Singh and Apoorva Makhija were also part of the episode.These video clips, which contained explicit sexual references in the context of parents, drew mass criticism and created huge outrage, of which Allahabadia and Raina bore the brunt. Soon after, Raina issued a public apology and deleted all episodes of India's Got Latent from his YouTube channel. Allahabadia, on his part, issued a public apology, admitting that his comments were inappropriate.On February 10, however, Guwahati Police registered an FIR against 5 YouTubers and content creators for “promoting obscenity and engaging in sexually explicit and vulgar discussion". Reportedly, the Maharashtra Cyber Department and Jaipur Police also registered cases in connection with the controversy. Seeking quashing/clubbing of the multiple FIRs, Allahabadia and Chanchlani approached the Supreme Court.Insofar as Allahabadia is concerned, the top Court granted interim protection subject to conditions (including restriction on airing shows). However, during the hearing, Justice Kant severely berated the Youtuber for the language he used and described it as "dirty" and "perverted". Subsequently, on an application moved by Allahabadia, the restriction on airing of shows was lifted and the Court permitted resumption of "The Ranveer Show". The relief was subject to Allahabadia furnishing an undertaking that his own shows will maintain standards of decency and morality, so that viewers of any age group can watch. Chanchlani, on the other hand, got interim relief from Gauhati High Court. On his plea for quashing/clubbing of FIRs across states, the Supreme Court issued notice in February.Notably, in the backdrop of the controversy, the Supreme Court also expressed its intention to do something to regulate obscene content on YouTube and other social media, and asked the Union Government about its views.Case Title:(1) RANVEER GAUTAM ALLAHABADIA Versus UNION OF INDIA...

India's Got Latent Row | Investigation Likely To Be Over In 2 Weeks; Supreme Court Defers Ranveer Allahabadia's Plea For Passport Release

Debby Jain

Tags