“Will Maintain Decency In Shows”: Podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia In Undertaking To SC

Podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps, filed an undertaking in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, assuring that he would maintain decency in his popular show, “The Ranveer Show.”

Court Proceedings & Undertaking

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh was informed by Senior Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, representing Allahbadia, that his client had complied with the court’s previous direction. Allahbadia has also joined the investigation related to the cases against him and recorded his statements with the investigating authorities.

Chandrachud sought a modification of the Supreme Court’s directive that required Allahbadia to deposit his passport, arguing that this restriction significantly impacted his livelihood. The counsel highlighted the need for Allahbadia to travel abroad for interviews, which involve multiple meetings and coordination.

Court’s Response

The bench acknowledged the concern but emphasized that allowing Allahbadia to travel abroad could potentially affect the ongoing investigation. The Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Maharashtra and Assam governments, informed the court that the investigation was likely to conclude within two weeks, though he did not seek specific instructions on the matter.

The bench decided to consider Allahbadia’s request to release his passport in two weeks, after the investigation’s progress is reviewed.

Case Developments

In compliance with the court’s direction dated March 3, Allahbadia filed an undertaking affirming that he would:

Refrain from discussing the ongoing cases in his shows. The court noted that Allahbadia had joined the investigation on March 7 and had recorded his statements before the police in Maharashtra and Assam.

Similarly, YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani, who was also booked in connection with the controversy, informed the court that he had joined the probe. His counsel sought to have all the FIRs against him consolidated and transferred to a single police station.

Chandrachud pointed out that Allahbadia had made a similar plea before the Supreme Court, adding that the common practice is to transfer all FIRs to the jurisdiction where the first FIR was registered. In this case, the first FIR was lodged in Mumbai.

The bench decided to postpone the hearing for two more weeks, with the matter scheduled for April 21, when it will consider the plea to club the FIRs.

Background Of The Controversy

Allahbadia was booked for objectionable comments on parents and sex during an appearance on comedian Samay Raina’s YouTube show, “India’s Got Latent.”

On March 3, the Supreme Court allowed Allahbadia to resume his podcast under the condition that it adheres to standards of “morality and decency” and remains suitable for viewers of all ages.

The apex court had earlier restrained Allahbadia from airing any content that could influence the ongoing legal proceedings. Additionally, the court expanded the scope of the case to explore the need for a regulatory mechanism on social media content.

The bench instructed Solicitor General Mehta to propose a draft framework that balances the right to free speech under Article 19(4) of the Constitution with the need for content regulation. This draft would be shared publicly for feedback before any legislative or judicial action is taken.

Key Developments

On February 18, the Supreme Court granted Allahbadia interim protection from arrest, criticizing his remarks as “vulgar” and stating that they reflected a “dirty mind” that brought societal shame.

Other individuals named in the case include Samay Raina, Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Makhija, particularly in the Assam-based FIRs.

The matter will now be revisited by the Supreme Court on April 21 for further proceedings.