Read Time: 10 minutes

Synopsis

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, granted interim protection from arrest to YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as 'BeerBiceps' in connection with multiple First Information Report (FIRs) filed against him for his controversial remarks on the YouTube show 'India's Got Latent'.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh passed the order while hearing Allahbadia's plea seeking clubbing of FIRs filed against him across multiple states. 

During the hearing, court came down heavily on Allahabadia, with Justice Kant delivering a scathing rebuke. "There is something dirty in his mind that has been vomited by way of this programme," he remarked. "Why should the court even hear this kind of person?"

Court, however, stayed Allahbadia's arrest in the FIRs filed against him in Maharashtra, Assam, and Jaipur. 

Court ordered, "Issue notice. Meanwhile, the arrest of the petitioner in Maharashtra and Assam FIRs shall remain stayed, subject to the condition that the petitioner shall join the investigation as and when summoned by investigating officers. Interim protection against arrest is granted, further subject to the condition that the petitioner shall provide full cooperation to the ongoing investigation".

Court further passed the following interim directions:

1. No FIR shall be registered against the petitioner based on the episode aired on the show 'India's Got Latent.'
2. The petitioner shall be at liberty to approach local police in Maharashtra and Assam for the protection of his life and liberty in the event of any threat.
3. FIR registered against him in Jaipur remains stayed.
4. He shall deposit his passport at the Thane police station.
5. He shall not leave the country without the court's permission.
6. Ranveer Allahbadia and his associates shall not do any shows for the time being.

Today's Hearing

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, appearing for Ranveer Allahbadia, at the outset said," This is a petition for the clubbing of FIRs filed in Mumbai, Assam, and Jaipur, all based on a 10-second clip from a 45-minute show. The petitioner has received death threats; a reward of ₹5 lakh has been announced for cutting the petitioner's tongue, and a former wrestler has said he will not be spared."

However, Justice Kant strongly criticized the remarks made by the YouTuber. He questioned, 'If this is not obscenity, then what is obscenity?'

When Chandrachud referred the Top Court's judgment in the Apoorva Arora case, Justice Kant said, 'Therefore, you have a license to speak all kinds of vulgarity, and you can exhibit your depraved mind anywhere and anytime.'

Senior Advocate Chandrachud then emphasised the existence of multiple FIRs that have been registered against him. To this Justice Surya Kant said," There are no multiple FIRs. One is in your hometown, other FIR is in Guwahati Assam. There are only two FIRs on record."

Justice Kant further deemed Allahbadi's behaviour as dirty and perverted.

Moreover, addressing the death threats received by Allahbadia, Justice Surya Kant added," At least nobody will feel ashamed while reading this, somebody will laugh, somebody will think this is a cheap joke. But the words you (Ranveer Allahbadia) have chosen, parents will feel ashamed, and daughters and sisters will feel ashamed. The entire society will feel ashamed."

Notably, on 14 February, Ranveer Allahbadia approached the Top seeking clubbing for FIR. Senior advocate Abhinav Chandrachud had mentioned the matter before CJI Sanjiv Khanna led the bench, requesting an urgent hearing.

Senior Advocate Dr Abhinav Chandrachud, Advocates Chandansingh Shekhawat, Janay Jain and AOR Pranav Sarthi are representing Allahabadia before the apex court.

What is the Controversy?

The controversy erupted when Allahbadia passed obscene remarks during his guest appearance on the YouTube show India's Got Latent", a talent show hosted by comedian Samay Raina.

Following this, a complaint was filed with the Mumbai Commissioner and Maharashtra Women's Commission against Ranveer Allahbadia, Samay Raina, and media influencer Apoorva Makhija, for allegedly using abusive language on the show.

Subsequently, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam Chief Minister took to X, popularly known as Twitter and posted, "Today @GuwahatiPol has registered an FIR against certain Youtubers and social Influencers, namely 1. Shri Ashish Chanchlani 2. Shri Jaspreet Singh 3. Shri Apoorva Makhija 4. Shri Ranveer Allahbadia 5. Shri Samay Raina and others for promoting obscenity and engaging in sexually explicit and vulgar discussion in a show titled ' India's Got Latent'."

He added that "the Guwahati Crime Branch had registered a case vide Cyber PS case no 03/2025 under sections - 79/95/294/296 of BNS 2023 read with Sec 67 of IT Act, 2000, read with Section 4/7 of Cinematograph Act 1952 read with Section 4/6 of ⁠Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986."

Case Title: Ranveer Gautam Allahabadia versus Union of India