Cyber cell registers case against Pranit More, Himanshu Jangra in Rs 370 biryani row

The controversy began after Himanshu Jangra recounted, during the show, a date when he spent Rs 370 on a plate of chicken biryani. When the woman asked him to drop her home, Jangra said he sought sexual favours for the money he spent on the biryani.

In Short

• Officials linked the probe to videos shared on YouTube, Instagram and elsewhere
• One clip allegedly showed remarks equating spending on dates with intimacy
• Investigators said the material demeaned women and trivialised consent and dignity

The Maharashtra Cyber Cell on Thursday registered a case against stand-up comedian Pranit More, Himanshu Jangra, Dr Sejal Pawar, and others in connection with the alleged publication and circulation of obscene and objectionable content on online platforms, including social media.

The case has been filed at the nodal Cyber Police Station, Maharashtra Cyber in Mumbai under Sections 75(1)(iv), 75(3), 294 and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with relevant provisions of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000.

According to officials, the case stems from certain videos and clips circulated on YouTube, Instagram and other platforms in connection with a programme hosted by the stand-up comedian in Gurugram.

One clip allegedly featured Jangra making remarks suggesting entitlement to physical intimacy in exchange for Rs 370 spent on biryani during a date, which officials said portrayed women in a derogatory manner and trivialised issues of consent and dignity. Another clip allegedly showed Dr Pawar making objectionable comments regarding deceased male bodies and cadavers used for medical study.

CYBER CELL PROBES CASE

The Maharashtra Cyber Cell said the content contained obscene, offensive and objectionable remarks related to women, consent, and deceased persons, and was in violation of accepted social norms.

Officials further alleged that the content was recorded, promoted and circulated on digital platforms with the intent of increasing viewership and generating revenue through online monetisation.

During the investigation, summons were issued to More, Jangra and Dr Pawar, directing them to appear before Maharashtra Cyber and record their statements.

The investigation is currently underway, and officials said appropriate legal action will be taken against all persons found involved in accordance with law.

NCW SUMMONS MORE, JANGRA

Hours earlier, the National Commission for Women summoned the stand-up comedian and Jangra, over remarks allegedly made during a stand-up comedy show in Gurugram that the commission said appeared to glorify sexual coercion and non-consensual conduct towards a woman.

Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports and a viral video of the incident, the commission said its chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the Haryana Director General of Police, seeking immediate and time-bound action and requesting an Action Taken Report within seven days.

Expressing concern over the video's content, the commission said the "normalisation or glorification of behaviour that undermines a woman's consent, dignity and bodily autonomy has far-reaching consequences for women's safety and social attitudes towards gender-based violence.

REVISITING THE CONTROVERSY

The controversy began after Jangra recounted, during the show, a date when he spent Rs 370 on a plate of chicken biryani. When the woman asked him to drop her home, Jangra said he sought sexual favours for the money he spent on the biryani. More was seen laughing at Jangra's comment.

The controversy escalated further when Pawar spoke about anatomy-related experiences involving cadavers and claimed that she and her colleagues would compare the sizes of male cadavers' private parts. The comment was made during a conversation with More as he asked if doctors stay serious or crack jokes while doing an autopsy on a corpse.

Later, More, Jangra and Pawar apologised for the incident after facing backlash on social media.

Both Jangra and Dr Pawar have faced action from their employers. While Jangra's employer, Gurugram-based Starvik Design, announced that it had terminated his employment, Dr Pawar's employer, KEM Hospital and Medical College, has ordered an inquiry into the remarks attributed to her.

Meanwhile, More himself remains caught in the centre of the storm. The comedian has faced sustained criticism over the viral clips emerging from his audience interactions and has since deactivated his Instagram account.

What began as a controversy over one audience member's remarks has now evolved into a much larger conversation about ethics, accountability, professional responsibility and the limits of what audiences consider acceptable, even in a comedy setting.

- Ends