In a significant development, podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia and YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani appeared before the Maharashtra Cyber Police on Monday to record their statements. This action stems from allegations of obscene remarks made during an episode of the YouTube comedy show “India’s Got Latent.”
The controversy ignited when Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps, posed a sexually explicit question involving incest and voyeurism to a contestant during an episode aired on February 9. The episode, which featured prominent content creators including Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Mukhija, was removed from YouTube two days later following public outrage and a complaint by the Union government.
Following the incident, multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed against Allahbadia and others in various states, including Maharashtra and Assam. The Maharashtra Cyber Police registered an FIR under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, which pertains to the transmission of obscene material in electronic form, and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. The Assam Police also lodged an FIR, leading to Allahbadia seeking legal recourse to consolidate the complaints.
Despite being summoned multiple times, Allahbadia had not appeared before the authorities until Monday. His non-compliance led to a joint statement from Mumbai and Guwahati Police, expressing that Allahbadia was “continuously out of contact with the investigation agencies.” The Maharashtra Cyber Department had issued a fresh summons, mandating his appearance on February 24. However, Allahbadia, along with Chanchlani, chose to appear earlier to record their statements.
During their session with the cyber police, which lasted approximately four to five hours, both Allahbadia and Chanchlani were questioned about their involvement in the controversial episode. A Maharashtra Cyber Cell officer stated, “They came around 11 am and left after four to five hours. If required, we will summon them again.”
In response to the allegations, Allahbadia issued a public apology on February 10, acknowledging the inappropriateness of his remarks. He stated, “I will follow due process and be available to all agencies,” and revealed that he and his family had received death threats following the incident. Chanchlani, along with other involved parties, has also expressed willingness to cooperate with the ongoing investigations.
The Supreme Court of India intervened in the matter, granting Allahbadia interim protection from arrest on February 18. However, the court criticized his conduct, describing it as lacking responsibility and being condemnable. The apex court also directed Allahbadia to halt all his shows temporarily and to cooperate fully with the police investigations.
The “India’s Got Latent” show, hosted by comedian Samay Raina, has faced severe backlash due to the incident. Raina, who has also been named in the FIRs, removed all episodes of the show from his YouTube channel and expressed his intention to cooperate with the authorities. In a social media post, he mentioned his commitment to ensuring that inquiries are concluded fairly.
This controversy has sparked a broader debate on content regulation and freedom of expression in India’s digital media landscape. While there is no official censorship of online platforms in the country, societal conservatism often leads to complaints against content deemed indecent. The incident has raised concerns among digital creators about potential censorship and stricter content regulations, as proposed legislation could significantly impact free speech.
As the investigation progresses, the Maharashtra Cyber Police have summoned more than 40 individuals, including comedians, content creators, judges, artists, and hosts associated with all six episodes of “India’s Got Latent.” The authorities aim to conduct a thorough inquiry to address the allegations and ensure accountability for the content disseminated on digital platforms.
In conclusion, the appearance of Ranveer Allahbadia and Ashish Chanchlani before the Maharashtra Cyber Police marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing investigation into the “India’s Got Latent” controversy. The case underscores the delicate balance between creative expression and societal norms, highlighting the need for clear guidelines and responsible content creation in the evolving digital landscape of India.
