The Supreme Court has provided a measure of relief to YouTube personality Ranveer Allahbadia, who has been embroiled in a controversy over comments made about parents and sex during an episode of the stand-up show 'India's Got Latent'. The court stated that no further police cases could be filed against him on this matter, and he could approach the Maharashtra and/or Assam police for protection of life and liberty in case of threats. Mr. Allahbadia had claimed that he and his family had received death threats, and the court acknowledged the issue, saying that the law would take its course if there were threats, and the state would provide necessary protection.
The court also warned Mr. Allahbadia not to try and leave the country without its nod and ordered him to deposit his passport with the police in Maharashtra's Thane. Additionally, he was told that neither he nor his associates could participate in any further stand-up comedy or 'roast' shows till further notice. The court's decision came after a hearing where Mr. Allahbadia's lawyer, Abhinav Chandrachud, expressed his personal disgust at the comments made by his client, but argued that whether the comment rose to the level of a criminal offense was another question. The court initially appeared disinclined to agree with Mr. Chandrachud, with Justice Kant declaring that if the comment was not considered obscenity in the country, then what was.
The hearing turned into a fierce criticism of Mr. Allahbadia, with Justice Kant stating that there was something dirty in his mind that was spread by the program and demanding to know why the court should entertain such persons. The court also acknowledged that Mr. Allahbadia had apologized for his remarks, saying that his comment about parents was insensitive and disrespectful, and he was genuinely sorry. The court's decision has been seen as a measure of relief for Mr. Allahbadia, who faces multiple police cases, a summons from the National Commission of Women, and possibly questions from a parliamentary panel. The court's order to regulate social media content has also been welcomed, with many arguing that it is necessary to prevent the spread of obscene content online.
The Supreme Court's comments on the need to regulate obscene content on social media platforms like YouTube have sparked a wider debate about the need for greater regulation of online content. The court's decision to urge the Centre to consider regulating such content has been seen as a significant step towards addressing the issue. The court's remarks came during a hearing on a plea filed by Mr. Allahbadia, who sought the clubbing of multiple FIRs filed against him in the matter and interim relief from arrest. The court's decision has been seen as a balancing act between the need to protect freedom of speech and the need to regulate obscene content online.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court's decision to provide protection to Ranveer Allahbadia and to urge the Centre to regulate obscene content on social media platforms like YouTube is a significant step towards addressing the issue of online content regulation. The court's remarks highlight the need for a balanced approach that protects freedom of speech while also regulating obscene content online. As the debate around online content regulation continues, it is likely that the Supreme Court's decision will be seen as an important milestone in the journey towards a more regulated online environment. The court's order to deposit his passport and not to participate in any further stand-up comedy or 'roast' shows till further notice is a clear indication that the court is serious about regulating obscene content online.
