Supreme Court To Hear YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia's Plea For Release Of Passport & Clubbing FIRs On April 21
The Supreme Court said that Allahabadia's prayer for the release of the passport to travel abroad will be considered after investigations are complete.
The Supreme Court today scheduled the hearing for April 21 of pleas filed by YouTubers Ranveer Allahabadia (@BeerBicepsGuy) and Ashish Chanchlani, seeking the quashing or clubbing of multiple FIRs registered against them across different states in connection with the controversy surrounding India’s Got Talent show.
The Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice NK Singh took up the petitions, while Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta informed the Court that the investigation into the ongoing FIRs is expected to be completed within two weeks.
Advocate Dr. Abhinav Chandrachud, appearing for Ranveer Allahabadia, sought a relaxation of the condition requiring the deposit of his passport, allowing him to travel abroad.
However, Justice Kant, considering the status of the investigation, deferred the decision, stating, "If they are likely to complete (the investigation) in two weeks... let’s consider after that."
Petitioners Seek Clubbing of FIRs
Senior Advocate Ajay Tewari, representing Ashish Chanchlani, along with Dr. Chandrachud, urged the Court to club the multiple FIRs filed across states.
In response, Justice Kant indicated that the Court would examine the request in due course, stating, "We will see what is to be done."
The Court noted that Allahabadia had already appeared before the National Commission for Women (NCW), where his statement was recorded. Additionally, he had joined the investigation at Guwahati police station and given an undertaking that his show would maintain decency and refrain from mentioning subjudice issues.
Given the ongoing investigation, the Bench ruled that the petitioner's request for the release of his passport and permission to travel abroad will be considered only after the investigation is completed.
The matter is now scheduled for hearing on April 21, 2025.
Previously
It is to be noted, on March 3, the Supreme Court had expanded the scope of proceedings to examine the need for regulatory measures on online content. It had also directed Allahbadia to join the investigation and imposed conditions on his digital content. The Supreme Court had reiterated that fundamental rights are not absolute and must be exercised with corresponding duties. "In this country, there is nothing like a fundamental right on a platter. Fundamental rights come with duties, and unless people understand their duties, we know how to deal with such elements," Justice Kant asserted. The Bench had also indicated that Allahabadia could continue operating The Ranveer Show on YouTube, provided he furnishes an undertaking that his content will adhere to moral and decency standards applicable to all age groups.
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]