The Supreme Court has refused to release the passport of YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, who is under investigation for allegedly obscene remarks made during an episode of India&rsquo;s Got Latent. The court, however, stated it would reconsider his plea once the probe is completed, which Solicitor General Tushar Mehta indicated would take about two weeks.
Allahbadia, known for his podcast The Ranveer Show, had moved the court seeking a modification of its earlier order, arguing that the travel restrictions were affecting his professional commitments. He also submitted an undertaking to maintain &ldquo;decency&rdquo; in his content. Senior Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, representing him, assured the court that Allahbadia had fully cooperated with the investigation.
However, the bench, comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh, expressed concerns that allowing him to travel abroad might hinder the investigation. The court sought input from Mehta&mdash;who represented the Maharashtra and Assam governments, whose police forces are leading this inquiry&mdash; on a potential timeline.
The Solicitor General told the court the investigations are likely to be completed in two weeks.
The court extended interim protection from arrest previously granted to him regarding cases registered in Mumbai, Guwahati, and Jaipur, but upheld the requirement to deposit his passport.
Earlier this month, the court had permitted him to resume his podcast under the condition that it adheres to standards of morality and decency, ensuring suitability for all age groups. Following this, Allahbadia resumed The Ranveer Show with a video statement, pledging to use his platform more responsibly, especially given his influence on younger audiences.
The Mumbai police cyber department and Guwahati police are leading the investigation into the controversial remarks. In the aftermath of the backlash, Allahbadia issued a public apology, admitting a lapse in judgment. &ldquo;My comment wasn&rsquo;t just inappropriate; it wasn&rsquo;t even funny. Comedy is not my forte. I take full responsibility and sincerely apologize,&rdquo; he said in a video message, adding that he had misused his platform.
The court will review Allahbadia&rsquo;s plea for passport release once the investigation has concluded.
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Bench cites grounds of probe hindrance, extends interim protection from arrest order

SC Denies Allahbadia’s Plea for Passport Release

Bench cites grounds of probe hindrance, extends interim protection from arrest order

April 1, 2025 | 17:09 IST