The Supreme Court on Tuesday imposed a temporary ban on YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, ‘India’s Got Latent’ show host Samay Raina, and content creator Apoorva Mukhija from airing any shows until further orders. The directive came while the apex court was hearing Allahbadia’s plea seeking the consolidation of multiple FIRs lodged against him across various states, including Maharashtra and Assam.
The FIRs stemmed from a controversial remark Allahbadia made about ‘parents sex’ during a roast session on Raina’s YouTube show, which sparked outrage and led to legal action.
A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh presided over the hearing. Representing Allahbadia, advocate Abhinav Chandrachud informed the court about the death threats against his client. However, the bench took a strong stance on the issue, questioning, “We would like to know that in this country, if this is not obscenity then what is?”
Criticizing the YouTuber’s choice of words, the court rebuked his counsel, stating, “Do you subscribe to the language that he has used? What is the parameter of obscenity? There is a height of irresponsibility. They believe that since they’ve become popular, they can say anything. There’s dirt in his mind. Why should the court favour such a person?”
Emphasizing the impact of the remarks, the court further noted, “Parents, brothers, and sisters will feel ashamed with the kind of words you’ve chosen.”
While restricting Allahbadia from hosting or broadcasting any content, the Supreme Court also directed that no further FIRs shall be lodged against him concerning the controversial remarks. Additionally, the court imposed travel restrictions on the 31-year-old podcaster, ordering him to deposit his passport at the Thane police station and barring him from traveling abroad without prior court approval.
The matter was heard by a two-judge bench, including Justice Surya Kant and Justice Kotiswar Singh. Allahbadia was represented by advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, the son of former Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud.
The case has sparked widespread debate over the boundaries of free speech and obscenity in digital content creation, with the court signaling a stringent stance against irresponsible language in public discourse.
