Ranveer Allahbadia
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The Supreme Court on Monday (March 3, 2025) allowed YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia to resume his podcast. The top court said there should be a clear divide between humour and perversity shown or spoken on online shows, social media.
Justice Surya Kant agrees with Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said humour is something that a family sitting together would be able to enjoy and laugh at without embarrassment.
The court agrees to consider the question of framing regulatory measures in this regard after hearing submissions and inputs from stakeholders.
The Bench headed by Justice Kant was hearing an application filed by Ranveer Allahbadia seeking a modification of a clause in the court’s February 18 order allowing him interim protection from arrest on the basis of FIRs lodged in Maharashtra and Assam concerning his comments about parents and sex in the show ‘India Got Latent’. The clause in question barred him from airing or telecasting shows, podcasts.
Appearing for Mr. Allahbadia, advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, said his client has “no sense of humour” but the prohibition would affect his client’s livelihood and that of the 200-odd people he employed for his own show. The application further requested the court to allow him to travel abroad.
Mr. Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the States of Maharashtra and Assam, said Mr. Allahbadia did not come when summoned by the Gauhati Police. “He has not joined investigation,” the top law officer said.
Mr. Chandrachud responded that Gauhati Police did not respond when Mr. Allahbadia had Whatsapped the Investigation Officer the date and time when he should be present at the police station for questioning.
The court modified the absolute bar, cautioning Mr. Allahbadia that he could resume his show provided his language and conduct met with the prevailing standards of decency and morality. The Gauhati Police was asked to convey to the YouTuber the date and time of his appearance.
Justice Kant said his request for travelling abroad would be considered after he joined the investigation. Meanwhile, the court said the interim protection from arrest for Mr. Allahbadia would continue.
Published – March 03, 2025 03:13 pm IST
