GUWAHATI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday, February 18, granted interim protection from arrest to YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia, popularly known as Beer Biceps, in connection with multiple FIRs registered in Mumbai, Guwahati, and Jaipur over alleged obscenity in an episode of the India's Got Latent show.
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A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh issued the interim order while hearing Allahabadia’s plea challenging the FIRs. The court directed that no further FIRs be registered concerning the same show, provided he cooperates with the investigation. Additionally, he has been granted the liberty to seek police protection against threats. However, the court imposed conditions, including a directive barring him and his associates from airing any further shows until further orders and requiring him to surrender his passport.
"There is something very dirty in his mind, which has been vomited by him in the program...He is insulting parents also. Why should the Courts favour him?," Justice Kant asked.
The bench criticised Allahabadia for the language used in the episode, describing it as "dirty" and "perverted." Justice Kant questioned whether such language could be defended, while his counsel, Abhinav Chandrachud, admitted that he found the remarks “disgusting” but argued that they did not amount to a criminal offence. Citing legal precedents, including the Apoorva Arora case, he contended that profanity alone does not constitute obscenity.
"If this is not obscenity, then what is obscenity? Is the judgment [in Apoorva Arora case] a license to say whatever you want?", Justice Kant asked.
Justice Kant, however, remained unconvinced, questioning whether the judgment provided a licence for unrestricted speech. He also pointed out that different statements made in the episode had led to separate FIRs, including one specifically related to remarks against people from Arunachal Pradesh. Expressing strong disapproval, the bench stated that the comments had caused embarrassment to families and society at large.
Chandrachud further highlighted that Allahabadia had been receiving death threats. In response, Justice Kant remarked that individuals seeking “cheap publicity” through such statements could also attract similar threats.
The controversy stems from an episode of India's Got Latent, a YouTube show hosted by comedian Samay Raina, which featured Allahabadia along with fellow YouTubers Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Makhija. After clips from the episode went viral, a public outcry followed. Raina later issued a public apology for his remarks, acknowledging their inappropriateness.
On February 10, Guwahati Police registered an FIR against five YouTubers and content creators for “promoting obscenity and engaging in sexually explicit and vulgar discussion.” The Maharashtra Cyber Department and Jaipur Police have also lodged cases concerning the controversy.
Notably, in 2024, Allahabadia was honoured with the Disruptor of the Year award at the National Creators Award by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Subsequently, Ashish Chanchlani approached the Gauhati High Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the FIR against him.
