'Will Hamper Investigation': SC Refuses to Release YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia’s Passport

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, refused to release Ranveer Allahbadia’s passport, observing that the prayer relating to the same would be considered after the completion of the investigation.

A bench led by Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh took note of the undertaking submitted by Allahbadia, wherein he assured the Court that he would maintain decency in his show and refrain from discussing any matter that is sub judice. The court also recorded that Allahbadia had filed an affidavit stating he had joined the investigation and fully cooperated with the authorities. Accordingly, the Court ordered:

“Upon inquiry, the Solicitor General (SG) informs that the investigation in the ongoing FIRs is likely to be completed within two weeks. Since the petitioner might be required to join the investigation, his prayer for release of passport/travel abroad will be considered after the investigation is complete.”

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, appearing for Allahbadia, urged the court to relax the condition pertaining to his passport, which had been directed to be deposited at the Thane Police Station. He added that" He( Allahbadia)'s livelihood involves interviewing personalities both in India and abroad."

To this, Justice Kant said, “If we allow that, the investigation might be hampered.”When Justice Kant inquired about the status of the investigation, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that it was likely to be completed within two weeks.

The court accordingly agreed to examine the matter after two weeks and posted it for April 21.

Earlier, the court had allowed Allahbadia to resume his podcast, The Ranveer Show, subject to the condition that he shall adhere to the required standards of morality and decency, ensuring that the content is suitable for viewers of all age groups.

The court reiterated that the condition imposed upon Allahbadia were modified, keeping in view the fact that the livelihood of around 280 employees depended on the telecast of his podcast. Addressing Allahbadia's second prayer, which pertained to allowing him to travel abroad, the court said that such a request would be considered only after he joins the probe and is no longer required for the investigation.

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