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The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted protection from arrest to YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia in cases filed against him in Maharashtra and Assam. However, the court strongly criticized his remarks on the show India’s Got Latent, calling them “perverted” and questioning their impact on social morality.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar expressed concern over the statements made by Allahbadia and his associates, stating that such language was an insult to parents and society at large. “If this is not obscenity, then what is?” the bench questioned while rebuking the content aired on the platform.
Court Slams YouTuber’s Conduct
During the hearing, the judges remarked that Allahbadia should feel ashamed of his actions, pointing out that he had replicated content from an Australian show without adhering to necessary content warnings. “There must be some level of responsibility. This is not just about personal morality; this is about degrading the values of an entire society,” the court observed.
The Supreme Court also directed that Allahbadia and his associates must refrain from airing any content on YouTube or other media platforms until further notice. His counsel, Abhinav Chandrachud, sought interim relief and urged the court to consolidate the multiple FIRs filed against him across various states. He also mentioned that the YouTuber had received death threats in the wake of the controversy.
Councel Compares With Nupur Sharma Case
The bench questioned whether the statements made in the show constituted a criminal offense and sought clarity on legal definitions of obscenity. “Can anyone defend this kind of language? Should courts protect someone who has publicly demeaned others?” the justices asked.
While the court acknowledged that only two FIRs had been officially registered so far, it noted that complaints had emerged from multiple regions. Allahbadia’s lawyer argued that filing multiple FIRs on the same issue amounted to an abuse of the legal process. He further compared the situation to that of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, stating, “In Nupur Sharma’s case, there were threats and the remarks were worse. The moment there is a second FIR, it constitutes an abuse of process.”
The bench further emphasized that being popular does not grant an individual the right to make offensive remarks without consequences. “No one in the world would find such words acceptable. This isn’t about free speech—it’s about basic decency,” the court remarked.
Security Concerns and Public Outrage
The defense also highlighted security concerns, stating that one of the co-accused had received threats of an acid attack. The court, while condemning such threats, maintained that the rule of law must prevail and assured that the authorities would ensure safety.
The justices also criticized the influence of social media, where short clips can be taken out of context and widely circulated. “A 10-second clip from a 45-minute show can create mass outrage, but that does not absolve responsibility for what was originally said,” they noted.
Issuing notice on Allahbadia’s plea, the court stayed his arrest on the condition that he fully cooperates with the investigation. However, the court specified that he would not be allowed to be accompanied by a lawyer inside the police station during questioning. Additionally, he was barred from participating in any media programs until further orders.
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