In a significant development, the Maharashtra Police have filed a case against popular YouTubers Samay Raina, Ranveer Allahbadia, Ashish Chanchlani, Apoorva Mukhija, and others following controversial remarks made on the comedy show India’s Got Latent. The cyber branch conducted a thorough review of all the episodes before registering the case on Wednesday.
Second Case in Two Days
This marks the second legal action taken in response to the controversial remarks. A day earlier, the Assam Police had also filed a case against Ranveer Allahbadia, Samay Raina, and several other influencers for allegedly “promoting obscenity and engaging in sexually explicit and vulgar discussion” on the platform.
The Maharashtra Police have booked a total of 30 individuals, including prominent social media influencers like Ranveer Allahbadia, Apoorva Mukhija, Samay Raina, Rakhi Sawant, Ashish Chanchlani, and Balraj Ghai. Authorities have issued summons to some of the accused, while others are expected to be questioned soon.
Legal Implications and Charges
The case has been registered under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which pertains to the transmission of obscene material through electronic media. Additionally, other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita have been invoked to address the legal violations.
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis commented on the matter earlier in the week, signaling possible legal action. He stated, “Everyone has freedom of speech, but our freedom ends when we encroach upon the freedom of others.”
National Human Rights Commission Steps In
The controversy erupted after Ranveer Allahbadia made a sexually explicit remark to a contestant on the show. The backlash intensified, prompting the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to intervene. In an official letter to YouTube, the NHRC requested the removal of videos containing the contentious remarks.
Ranveer Allahbadia’s Apology
Following widespread criticism, Ranveer Allahbadia issued a public apology, acknowledging that his comment was “inappropriate” and admitting that comedy was not his strength. He stated, “My comment wasn’t just inappropriate; it wasn’t even funny. Comedy is not my forte. I’m just here to say sorry. Many of you asked if this is how I wish to use my platform, and obviously, this is not how I wish to use it. I’m not going to give any context or justification or reasoning behind whatever happened.”
Impact on Digital Content and Free Speech
This legal action raises broader questions about digital content regulation and the fine line between free speech and responsible content creation. The case is expected to set a precedent for how online content, particularly on platforms like YouTube, is scrutinized under Indian law.
