In a relief to podcaster and YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, the Supreme Court on Monday directed the release of his passport. Allahbadia, who had previously been prohibited from traveling abroad, can now make an application to reclaim his passport to the Maharashtra Cyber Crime Bureau. This brings him closer to visiting abroad for professional obligations.
Case Tied to ‘India’s Got Latent’ Controversy
The sanctions against Allahbadia were put after his controversial comments on YouTube personality Samay Raina’s India’s Got Latent show spurred legal proceedings. His passport was confiscated during a Supreme Court hearing over the comments on the show. The action had already stopped him from making international travel.
In the recent hearing, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh granted the relaxation after the Assam and Maharashtra governments assured that the probe into Allahbadia’s role in the India’s Got Latent case had been completed, as per a PTI report.
New Petition Against Samay Raina to be Heard
In the meantime, the Supreme Court also fixed a hearing of a fresh petition filed by the SMA Cure Foundation against stand-up comedian Samay Raina. The petition, regarding Raina’s purported ridicule of disabled people, will be put to hearing next Monday, May 5.
Court to Deliberate on Application to Consolidate FIRs
In another respite for Allahbadia, the top court told his attorney, Abhinav Chandrachud, that it would hear his request to club the various FIRs filed against the YouTuber. Those FIRs pertain to the same contentious clip of India’s Got Latent.
Background of the Controversy
The controversy began on February 18 when Allahbadia was chastised by the Supreme Court for making obscene statements during Raina’s show. The court then banned him from traveling abroad and instructed him not to air any new episodes of his podcast.
Allahbadia’s offensive remarks regarding sex and parents elicited massive criticism, which led to legal action and ultimately the cancellation of the show.
Permission to Resume Podcast Streaming
In a subsequent hearing on March 3, the Supreme Court allowed Allahbadia to proceed with posting episodes of his podcast, The Ranveer Show, but underlined that the content has to be in line with standards of “morality and decency.”
Other Panelists Also Face Legal Action
Besides Allahbadia, many other personalities involved in the controversial episode have also been served FIRs. These include stand-up comedians Samay Raina, Jaspreet Singh, YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani, and content creator Apoorva Makhija.
