Supreme Court Issues Notice On Comedian Pranit More’s Plea To Club FIRs In ‘Rs 370 Biryani’ Row
The bench has sought responses from Maharashtra and Haryana on a petition to consolidate criminal proceedings.
The Supreme Court has issued notice in a plea filed by Comedian Pranit More seeking clubbing of FIRs registered over the 'Rs.370 biryani' controversy.
The petitioner filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution seeking the transfer and consolidation of multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against him across Maharashtra and Haryana.
The Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana issued notice in the matter.
The said criminal proceedings arose out of a controversial incident, colloquially referred to as the “Rs 370 biryani” row. Impleading the Union of India alongside the States of Maharashtra and Haryana as party respondents, the petitioner prayed for the clubbing of all impugned FIRs to avoid multiplicity of proceedings and conflicting jurisdictions.
Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted, "We have tendered a public apology. Also, before the NCW, I have submitted a written apology. However, they did not take that. I have apologized before all the forums. I was just the host of the show. I understand the gravity of the situation, but the only thing I am seeking is that the Gurugram FIR be clubbed with the Bombay FIR. I am ready to face the trial...even before the FIR was registered, as soon as I got to know about the gravity of the situation, I deleted the video."
It was reported that an audience member made a misogynistic remark that trivialised sexual consent by implying that financial expenditure on a date entitled an individual to sexual intimacy. The petitioner laughed at the statement and offered a brief quip, which triggered intense public outcry on digital platforms for allegedly normalizing such conduct instead of issuing a reprimand.
Following the online backlash, it was reported that the audience member concerned reportedly suffered termination of employment, and the National Commission for Women (NCW) issued formal summons in connection with the incident.
The Maharashtra Cyber Police also registered an FIR against the comedian, the audience member, and another individual, invoking various penal provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) pertaining to sexual harassment, publication of obscene matter, public mischief, and criminal intimidation, read with Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Accordingly, the Court listed the matter for a further date.
Cause Title: Pranit More v. State of Maharashtra and Ors. [W.P.(Crl.) No. 367/2026]