NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up influencer Ranveer Allahbadia over his controversial remarks during his appearance on ‘India’s Got Latent‘.
The Supreme Court was hearing the social media influence Ranveer Allahbadia’s plea against multiple FIRs. He had sought consolidation of multiple FIRs filed against him in connection with his remarks on “India’s got Latent’.
Here are five key takeaways from the top court’s observations during the hearing:
‘If this is not obscenity, what is it?’
The bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh expressed strong disapproval over Ranveer Allahabadia‘s remarks, stating, “Just because somebody thinks he becomes so popular and can speak any kind of words, can take entire society for granted? Is there anyone on earth who will like this language? There is something very dirty in his mind which has been vomited.”
“In name of freedom of speech, no one has licence to speak whatever they want against norms of society. Words you have used will make daughters, sisters, parents and even society feel ashamed. If this is not obscenity, what is it? Why should we quash or club FIRs against you,” it added.
Interim protection granted
The court granted interim relief to Ranveer Allahabadia after senior advocate Abhinav Chandrachud highlighted death threats to his client. The court permitted Allahbadia to seek police protection in Maharashtra and Assam.
The court also said Allahbadia, who claimed that he and his family were receiving death threats could approach Maharashtra or Assam police for protection.
Deposit passport
However, the court directed Ranveer Allahabadia to deposit his passport with police in Maharashtra’s Thane, and asked him to not leave the country without prior permission of the court.
“He shall not leave India without court’s prior nod,” the top court said.
No further FIRs
The Supreme Court said no further FIR shall be registered against him on the basis of the episode aired on show India’s Got Latent.
“If any other FIR is lodged against influencer Ranveer Allahbadia over his comments, he shall not be arrested,” SC said.
Earlier, the Mumbai and Guwahati Police had said in a joint statement the Youtuber and podcaster Allahbadia was “continuously out of contact with the investigative agencies”.
He has been named in FIRs filed by Maharashtra Cyber Department, Guwahati Police, and Jaipur Police in the ‘India’s Got Latent’ case, the police said.
No more episodes
The Supreme Court has directed Allahbadia and his fellow influencers to cease airing any additional episodes of the controversial YouTube show until further notice.
The Cyber Cell is investigating the case registered against Ranveer Allahbadia and others after he triggered an uproar with his offensive remarks on the show ‘India’s Got Latent.’
Samay Raina, who hosts the show, has expressed regret for the incident, clarifying that entertainment was his sole purpose.
In a statement on his Instagram post, Raina said, “Everything that has been happening has been too much for me to handle. I have removed all India’s Got Latent videos from my channel. My only objective was to make people laugh and have a good time. I will fully cooperate with all agencies to ensure their inquiries are concluded fairly. Thank you.”