NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra Cyber Cell has issued a second summons to comedian and YouTuber Samay Raina, directing him to appear on March 19 to record his statement in connection with the India’s Got Latent show.
Raina was initially summoned today but did not appear before the Cyber Cell. He had previously requested to give his statement via videoconferencing from the United States, citing prior commitments preventing his return to India before March 17.
The Cyber Cell rejected his request, maintaining that his statement must be recorded in person.
The controversy erupted after Allahbadia asked a contestant: “Would you rather watch your parents… or join in once and stop it forever?”
Raina responded to the backlash on Instagram, stating: “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.”
Multiple FIRs were filed in Maharashtra and Assam against the involved parties. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that Guwahati Police registered an FIR against Allahbadia, Raina, and others for promoting obscenity.
The Supreme Court Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh described Allahbadia’s comments as “dirty and perverted,” emphasizing that such behavior must be condemned.
Allahbadia approached the Supreme Court to consolidate the charges against him. The Court granted him interim protection from arrest, conditional upon his cooperation with investigations.
The Court imposed strict conditions, including surrendering his passport and requiring permission to leave the country.
Justice Kant addressed the government regarding inappropriate content on platforms like YouTube, stating: “We would like you to do something. Otherwise, we are not going to leave this vacuum and barren area the way it is being misused.”
The Maharashtra Women’s Commission supported the Supreme Court’s intervention in stopping the controversial shows. The Commission’s Chairperson Rupali Chakankar endorsed the Court’s decision.
The Commission had previously requested the Mumbai Commissioner to investigate the incident.
The controversy also led to formal complaints against comedian Apoorva Makhija and the show’s organizers, alongside Allahbadia and Raina.