'India's Got Latent' Row| Supreme Court Proposes Online Content Regulation; Allows Ranveer Allahbadia To Resume 'The Ranveer Show'
|Continuing the interim protection from arrest, the Court allowed Allahbadia to resume 'The Ranveer Show', provided he submits an undertaking that his content will maintain standards of decency, making it suitable for all age groups.
The Supreme Court, while hearing YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia’s plea seeking relief from multiple FIRs over his comments in the India’s Got Latent show, has expanded the scope of proceedings to examine the need for regulatory measures on online content.
The Court has also directed Allahbadia to join the investigation and imposed conditions on his digital content.
The Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice NK Singh observed that while freedom of expression under Article 19 is crucial, content aired online must adhere to moral and social standards.
“We don’t want any regulatory regime that leads to censorship, but it can’t be free-for-all either,” Justice Surya Kant remarked, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach.
Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, representing the Central Government and the States of Assam and Maharashtra, argued that while freedom of speech is essential, vulgarity should not be allowed to influence the next generation. The Court requested the SG to propose effective regulatory measures that respect fundamental rights while ensuring decency and morality in digital content.
Meanwhile, the Court noted that Allahabadia had failed to appear for the investigation in Assam despite conditions set earlier.
Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, appearing for Allahbadia, informed the Court that a WhatsApp message was sent to the investigating officer seeking confirmation but received no response.
Granting continued interim protection from arrest, the Court allowed Allahbadia to resume The Ranveer Show, provided he submits an undertaking that his content will maintain standards of decency, making it suitable for all age groups. Additionally, his shows must not directly or indirectly affect any ongoing cases.
The Court also deferred its decision on Allahabadia’s request to travel abroad, stating it would consider the plea after he complies with investigation requirements.
The matter is now set for further deliberation on regulatory measures for online content, with the Court inviting stakeholder suggestions on potential guidelines.
Additionally, Ashish Chanchlani's Counsel submitted that he has joined investigation in the States.
To this, Justice Surya Kant said, "You have joined the case uselessly. You already got bail from the High Court."
The Counsel clarified that he has moved the Apex Court for clubbing of the FIRs.
Pertinently, on February 21, the Apex Court had issued notice in a petition filed by YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani seeking to quash or transfer an FIR registered against him in Guwahati over allegations of promoting obscenity in an online show.
On February 14, the Bench led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna had told Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, appearing for the influencer, that it does not allow oral mentioning of cases for urgent listing.
“I have assigned the bench, and it will come up (before a bench) in two-three days,” the CJI had said when Chandrachud submitted that the Assam police had summoned Allahbadia for joining the probe during the day.
About the Petition
The Writ Petition filed by Chanchlani challenges the FIR lodged at the Cyber Police Station, Guwahati Crime Branch, Assam. It seeks either quashing of the FIR or its transfer to Mumbai, where a similar case had been registered earlier. "Quash the FIR bearing No. 03 of 2025 registered at Cyber PS Police Commissionerate, Guwahati Crime Branch, Assam as it was registered later," the plea states.
Alternatively, Chanchlani has requested the Supreme Court to transfer the Guwahati FIR to Mumbai, where FIR No. 05 of 2025 was first lodged at the Mumbai Police Station Nodal Cyber.
Podcaster Allahbadia's remarks on parents and sex on comedian Samay Raina's YouTube show 'India's Got Latent' triggered a controversy, and several FIRs have been lodged against him and others in various parts of the country. An Assam police team is in Pune to issue summons to Raina in connection with a case filed in the northeastern state over his now-deleted YouTube show ‘India's Got Latent.’. Raina has a house in Balewadi in Pune.
Background
On February 18, the Gauhati High Court had granted interim bail to Chanchlani while hearing his anticipatory bail plea. The Court had directed him to appear before the investigating officer within 10 days. His legal counsel argued that Chanchlani did not make any objectionable remarks during the show and that the allegations in the FIR were primarily against the co-accused.
The FIR, filed by Guwahati Police on February 10, invokes provisions of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act, the Cinematograph Act, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act.
Earlier, Allahabadia was asked to remain present at Mumbai's Khar police station by the Mumbai police. The YouTuber is also facing a police complaint in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The Maharashtra Cyber Department has also registered the case under relevant sections of the IT Act and sought removal of all episodes, totaling 18, of the comedy show.
Cause Title: Ranveer Gautam Allahabadia v. Union of India [W.P.(Crl.) No. 83/2025; Diary No. 8375 / 2025] and Ashish Anil Chanchlani v. State of Guwahati [W.P.(Crl.) No. 85/2025; Diary No. 9116/2025]