YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, widely known as "BeerBiceps," has approached the Supreme Court of India seeking consolidation of multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against him across various states. These FIRs pertain to controversial remarks he made during an episode of the YouTube reality show "India's Got Latent," hosted by comedian Samay Raina. Allahbadia has also requested anticipatory bail, expressing concern over potential arrest by the Guwahati police, who have already issued summons to him and other individuals associated with the show.
The controversy centers on a question posed by Allahbadia during the show: "Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once and stop it forever?" This remark was met with widespread criticism, leading to public outrage and multiple complaints. A resident of Guwahati filed a formal complaint, prompting the Assam police to register a case under sections related to obscenity and public morality. The case names Allahbadia, Raina, and other participants, including Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Makhija.
In response to the backlash, Allahbadia issued a public apology, acknowledging his poor judgment and confirming that the controversial segments had been removed from the show's recording. He admitted that his attempt at humor was both inappropriate and unfunny, conceding that comedy isn't his strength.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has summoned Allahbadia, Raina, Makhija, and the show's producers, Tushar Poojari and Saurabh Bothra, for a hearing scheduled on February 17. Legal experts believe that the Supreme Court's decision in this matter could set a precedent for similar cases involving online content and free speech. The case highlights ongoing concerns over digital content regulation and its impact on creators in India.
The show is episodes were also removed from Samay Raina's YouTube channel, which had received millions of views. Raina stated on social media that he will assist investigative authorities, but that the current events have been a little too much for him to take.
