The Crossbill News Desk
An FIR has been registered by the Assam Police against popular podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, also known as BeerBiceps, comedian Samay Raina, and three others over a remark made during a podcast episode that has been widely criticized as vulgar and offensive.
The controversy erupted following an episode of India’s Got Latent, a show hosted by Samay Raina, where Allahbadia appeared as a guest alongside content creators Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Mukhija, also known as The Rebel Kid. Following public outrage, the video was taken down from YouTube, and Allahbadia has since issued an apology for his comments.
A complaint was filed by Alok Boruah from Guwahati, who alleged that the remarks were offensive and harmful to public decency.
The Guwahati Crime Branch registered a case under the IT Act, the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, and several sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), including those related to insulting a woman’s modesty, publishing and selling obscene material, and conducting obscene acts in a public place.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed on social media that an investigation is underway.
The Mumbai Police had earlier initiated an inquiry into the matter but had not immediately filed an FIR. However, according to senior officials quoted by The Indian Express, both Allahbadia and Raina have been summoned again for questioning.
A team from the Mumbai Police visited The Habitat, the venue in Mumbai’s Khar area where the show was recorded, and conducted a four-hour inquiry following a written complaint by lawyers Ashish Rai and Pankaj Mishra.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, responding to the controversy, acknowledged reports of vulgar comments but stated that he had not personally seen the video. He emphasized that while freedom of speech exists, it has limitations, and if societal norms on obscenity are violated, action must be taken.
The issue has sparked a renewed debate on free speech and censorship, with many arguing that while the comments made on India’s Got Latent were inappropriate, criminal proceedings set a dangerous precedent.
Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution guarantees citizens the right to express themselves freely through speech, writing, and other forms. However, this right is subject to reasonable restrictions related to public order, decency, morality, national security, and defamation.
Critics of the FIR have pointed out the selective application of laws, questioning why comedians and content creators are swiftly punished for their remarks while political leaders who make inflammatory or derogatory statements often go unchallenged.
Many on social media have called the move excessive, arguing that while criticism of the remarks is justified, a legal crackdown on jokes and online content raises concerns about censorship and the shrinking space for free expression.
The controversy erupted following an episode of India’s Got Latent, a show hosted by Samay Raina, where Allahbadia appeared as a guest alongside content creators Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Mukhija, also known as The Rebel Kid. Following public outrage, the video was taken down from YouTube, and Allahbadia has since issued an apology for his comments.
A complaint was filed by Alok Boruah from Guwahati, who alleged that the remarks were offensive and harmful to public decency.
The Guwahati Crime Branch registered a case under the IT Act, the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, and several sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), including those related to insulting a woman’s modesty, publishing and selling obscene material, and conducting obscene acts in a public place.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed on social media that an investigation is underway.
The Mumbai Police had earlier initiated an inquiry into the matter but had not immediately filed an FIR. However, according to senior officials quoted by The Indian Express, both Allahbadia and Raina have been summoned again for questioning.
A team from the Mumbai Police visited The Habitat, the venue in Mumbai’s Khar area where the show was recorded, and conducted a four-hour inquiry following a written complaint by lawyers Ashish Rai and Pankaj Mishra.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, responding to the controversy, acknowledged reports of vulgar comments but stated that he had not personally seen the video. He emphasized that while freedom of speech exists, it has limitations, and if societal norms on obscenity are violated, action must be taken.
The issue has sparked a renewed debate on free speech and censorship, with many arguing that while the comments made on India’s Got Latent were inappropriate, criminal proceedings set a dangerous precedent.
Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution guarantees citizens the right to express themselves freely through speech, writing, and other forms. However, this right is subject to reasonable restrictions related to public order, decency, morality, national security, and defamation.
Critics of the FIR have pointed out the selective application of laws, questioning why comedians and content creators are swiftly punished for their remarks while political leaders who make inflammatory or derogatory statements often go unchallenged.
Many on social media have called the move excessive, arguing that while criticism of the remarks is justified, a legal crackdown on jokes and online content raises concerns about censorship and the shrinking space for free expression.
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