SC Allows Ranveer Allahbadia To Resume Podcast, But With A Condition

The Supreme Court permitted YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia to resume his show, The Ranveer Show, after he promised to comply with regulations regarding ethical content.

By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 03 Mar 2025 03:51 PM (IST)

File Photo of YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia
Source : X/@BeerBicepsGuy

The Supreme Court on Monday allowed YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia to resume airing The Ranveer Show, subject to an undertaking that his content will maintain morality and decency, making it suitable for all age groups.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh took note of Allahbadia’s submission that his podcast was his sole source of livelihood and that approximately 280 people were dependent on it. The court extended his interim protection from arrest until further orders while directing him to cooperate with the investigation in Guwahati, news agency PTI reported.

The restriction on his podcast had earlier been placed as a condition for his interim protection from arrest in multiple FIRs registered in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Assam under obscenity charges linked to his remarks on the YouTube show "India’s Got Latent."  

SC Rebukes Comments Made Abroad, Counsel Clarifies  

During the hearing, Justice Kant expressed concern over one of the accused making comments about the case during a show in Canada. "One of them went to Canada and spoke about all of this...These youngsters may think we are outdated, but we know how to deal with them. Don’t take the court lightly," he warned," he remarked, as quoted by PTI. However, Allahbadia’s counsel, Dr Abhinav Chandrachud, clarified that his client had no connection with the individual who made those statements.  

At the outset, Chandrachud sought modification of the interim protection condition that barred Allahbadia from airing any shows. He assured the Court that Allahbadia would not use profanity and requested permission to host spiritual leaders and professionals, Live Law's report stated. The counsel further highlighted that Allahbadia’s livelihood depended on his YouTube content and that he employed 280 people.  

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Solicitor General Slams Content, Alleges Ranveer Allahbadia's Non-Cooperation  

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Union Government, Maharashtra, and Assam, criticised the content of "India’s Got Latent," stating that its "perversity" was beyond acceptable limits. "Forget a man and a woman, a man and a man cannot sit together and watch the show. Myself and the learned AG cannot sit together and watch the show. Your lordships will not be able to sit together and watch the show," Mehta remarked, as quoted by Live Law.  

He further alleged that Allahbadia had not complied with the condition to cooperate with the Assam Police investigation. In response, Chandrachud clarified that while Allahbadia had responded to a Guwahati Police notice, he had not received any communication regarding the date and time for the appearance. Justice Kant then directed the Solicitor General to instruct the investigating officer to provide the required details.  

Considering the fact that the livelihood of over 200 families depended on the content creator, the bench indicated its willingness to lift the restriction on airing his shows, as per the report.  

However, the bench declined Allahbadia’s request to travel abroad, stating that his plea would be considered only after he joined the investigation.

SC Seeks Union Government's Stance For Regulation of Online Content  

While allowing Allahbadia to resume his show, the Supreme Court has now sought the Union Government’s stance on regulating online content to strike a balance between freedom of expression and moral standards. The court directed the Centre to formulate a draft regulatory framework for social media content, to be put in the public domain for suggestions from stakeholders. 

The apex court underscored the need for regulation of online content, stressing that while it did not advocate censorship, unrestricted content circulation was unacceptable.  

"We don't want any regulatory regime which leads to censorship… but it can't be a free for all. See the quality of humour he has… humour is something the entire family can enjoy, nobody feels embarrassed. Using all filthy language is not talent," Justice Kant observed, as quoted by Live Law.  

Agreeing with this sentiment, SG Mehta added, "If you have to use vulgarity to make me laugh, then you are not a good comedian."  

The Court urged the Union Government to propose a limited regulatory framework that would ensure control over online content without compromising fundamental rights under Article 19. Justice Kant suggested that any draft regulatory measure be put in the public domain to invite stakeholder opinions.  

"With regard to telecast or airing of programmes which are not acceptable in terms of known moral standards of our society, some regulatory measures may be required. We have requested SG to suggest some measures which are effective to ensure the parameters of fundamental rights as delineated in Article 19. Any draft regulatory measure in this regard can then be put in public domain to invite suggestions from stakeholders...We are inclined to expand the scope of these proceedings," the court ordered, as quoted by Live Law.

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"India’s Got Latent" Controversy  

Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps, along with Ashish Chanchlani, Samay Raina, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Makhija, came under scrutiny after certain video clips from an episode of "India’s Got Latent" went viral. The episode contained explicit sexual references in the context of parents, triggering mass outrage.  

Following the backlash, Samay Raina deleted all episodes of the show and issued a public apology. Allahbadia also apologised, admitting that his comments were inappropriate.  

On February 10, the Guwahati Police registered an FIR against five YouTubers for allegedly "promoting obscenity and engaging in sexually explicit and vulgar discussions." The Maharashtra Cyber Department and Jaipur Police also filed cases related to the controversy. Seeking to quash or club multiple FIRs, Allahbadia and Chanchlani approached the Supreme Court.  

On February 18, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Union of India, Maharashtra, and Assam while granting interim protection from arrest to Allahbadia. The Court also barred any further FIRs against him in relation to the episode.  

During the hearing, however, Justice Kant strongly criticised Allahbadia’s language, calling it "dirty" and "perverted." "If this is not obscenity, then what is obscenity?" he questioned.  

When Allahbadia’s counsel raised concerns over alleged death threats against him, Justice Kant assured that the State would handle the matter. He further remarked, "The words which you have used, parents will feel shamed. Sisters and daughters will feel ashamed. Entire society will feel shamed. It shows a perverted mind."  

Published at : 03 Mar 2025 03:50 PM (IST)
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Social Media Indian Govt SC Tushar Mehta Ranveer Allahbadia SUpreme COurt India's Got Latent India’s Got Latent India's Got Latent Row

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