Special Correspondent
New Delhi : The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday granted interim protection from arrest to YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia (popularly known as BeerBiceps) in connection with multiple FIRs over his controversial remarks on the comedy show India’s Got Latent. However, the court slammed his “vulgar and obscene” comments, imposed a ban on further episodes of the show, and ordered him to surrender his passport, citing his remarks as reflective of a “depraved mind” that shamed society .
The bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh condemned Allahbadia’s joke about “parents having sex,” calling it “dirty,” “reprehensible,” and a product of a “perverted mind.” The court stated, “The words you chose shame every parent, sister, and the entire society. There is something very dirty in his mind which he vomited on the show” . The judges questioned whether free speech licenses such remarks, emphasizing societal norms and responsibility .
While shielding Allahbadia from arrest in FIRs filed in Mumbai, Guwahati, and Jaipur, the court mandated Surrender of his passport to Thane police . No international travel without court permission . Full cooperation with investigations in Maharashtra and Assam . A ban on airing new episodes of India’s Got Latent or participating in shows until further orders .
Multiple FIRs were registered against Allahbadia and others, including comedian Samay Raina, for the controversial episode. The National Commission for Women (NCW) rescheduled hearings after the accused cited security threats and prior commitments. Raina and Allahbadia have since apologized and removed the show’s videos .
The court questioned the boundaries of obscenity, asking, “If this is not obscenity, then what is?” . It also urged the government to regulate content on platforms like YouTube, highlighting concerns over “misuse of freedom of speech” .
Allahbadia must appear before Maharashtra Cyber Police on February 24 . The Supreme Court’s notice to the Centre and state governments may prompt stricter OTT/content regulations. The NCW will hold fresh hearings for the accused in March 2025 .
