In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of India has granted interim protection from arrest to prominent YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, widely known as BeerBiceps. This decision comes in response to multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against him for alleged obscene remarks made during his appearance on the YouTube show “India’s Got Latent.”
Table of Contents
Supreme Court’s Directives
Protection from Arrest
The apex court has shielded Allahbadia from arrest concerning the FIRs lodged in Maharashtra, Assam, and Rajasthan. The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh, emphasized the need for a balanced approach, acknowledging the ongoing investigations while safeguarding individual rights.
Cessation of Show Episodes
The court has directed Allahbadia and his associates to halt the airing of any further episodes of “India’s Got Latent” until subsequent orders are issued.
Passport Submission and Travel Restrictions
Allahbadia has been instructed to deposit his passport with the Thane police in Maharashtra. He is prohibited from leaving the country without explicit permission from the court, ensuring his availability for ongoing legal proceedings.
Cooperation with Authorities
The court has mandated that Allahbadia fully cooperate with the investigative agencies in Maharashtra and Assam. In light of reported death threats, he is permitted to approach local police for protection to ensure his safety during the investigation process.
Court’s Observations
Expressing strong disapproval of the content in question, the bench remarked, “The language used is deplorable and has the potential to corrupt young minds. Such behavior cannot be condoned under the guise of freedom of speech.”
Background
The controversy centers around remarks made by Allahbadia during his guest appearance on “India’s Got Latent,” a show hosted by comedian Samay Raina. The episode, which featured discussions deemed inappropriate by many viewers, led to widespread public outrage and the subsequent filing of multiple FIRs across different states. In response to the backlash, Allahbadia issued a public apology, stating, “I shouldn’t have said what I said on ‘India’s Got Latent.’ I’m sorry. My comment wasn’t just inappropriate; it wasn’t even funny. Comedy is not my forte.” Following the uproar, all episodes of the show have been removed from online platforms.
Allahbadia is being represented by senior advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, who argued for the consolidation of the FIRs and sought protection from arrest, citing concerns over multiple proceedings for the same alleged offense.
India’s Got Latent Controversy
On February 10, 2025, during a members-only episode of “India’s Got Latent,” podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps, posed a provocative question to a contestant:
“Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once to make it stop forever?”
This remark led to immediate backlash, with multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against Allahbadia and others associated with the show, including host Samay Raina, for promoting obscenity and vulgarity.
Legal and Social Responses
The controversy escalated as various state authorities took action:
Assam: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the Guwahati Police had registered an FIR against the individuals involved for promoting obscenity.
Maharashtra: The Cyber Cell summoned Samay Raina to appear in person for questioning, rejecting his request to record his statement via video conferencing.
In response to the mounting criticism, Samay Raina removed all episodes of “India’s Got Latent” from his YouTube channel and issued a public apology, stating his intention was solely to entertain.
Supreme Court Order
The matter reached the Supreme Court of India, where Allahbadia sought consolidation of the multiple FIRs against him. The Court granted him interim protection from arrest but expressed strong disapproval of his remarks, describing them as “deplorable” and indicative of a “perverted mind.” The bench directed Allahbadia to deposit his passport with the authorities and prohibited him from leaving the country without prior permission.
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