On February 18, the Supreme Court reprimanded podcaster and YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia for his controversial comments made on the YouTube show “India’s Got Latent,” hosted by Samay Raina. The court directed Allahbadia and his associates to temporarily withdraw from the entertainment industry, citing the need for reflection on their inappropriate remarks.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh expressed severe disapproval of Allahbadia’s words, labeling them “shameful” and suggesting they would bring disgrace to families and society at large.
The court criticized the comments as reflective of a “perverted mind” and questioned the moral depths reached by Allahbadia and his associates. “The words you have chosen will make parents, sisters, and the entire society feel ashamed,” remarked the bench, questioning the obscenity of the comments and highlighting that the judicial system must uphold the rule of law.
While the court scrutinized the nature of Allahbadia’s remarks, it also ordered interim relief by preventing the filing of further FIRs against him concerning the broadcast episode. As a precautionary measure, Allahbadia was instructed to surrender his passport to the police, restricting his ability to leave the country without prior court approval. Furthermore, the court granted him interim protection from arrest, offering temporary legal reprieve.
This decision underscores the judiciary’s commitment to addressing instances of public indecency while also safeguarding individual rights. The case draws attention to the responsibilities of public figures in their content and the necessary legal checks in maintaining societal norms.
