New Delhi:
The Supreme Court has given YouTube personality Ranveer Allahbadia – roiled in a row over comments about parents and sex during an episode of stand-up show ‘India’s Got Latent’ – a measure of relief after it said no further police cases could be filed against him on this matter.
The court also said Mr Allahbadia, who claimed death threats to his family and himself, he could approach Maharashtra and/or Assam police for “protection of life and liberty, in case of threats”.
He was also told he would not be arrested, by either Maharashtra or Assam cops, so long as he cooperates with the investigation, or on the basis of a third complaint filed in Jaipur.
Mr Allahbadia, however, was told to deposit his passport with police in Maharashtra’s Thane, and warned not to try and leave the country without prior permission of the court.
On Tuesday morning a bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh convened to hear Ranveer Allahbadia’s plea to club FIRs and seek anticipatory bail against possible arrest by Guwahati Police, which last week sent a team to his apartment in Mumbai to question him.
The hearing began with Mr Allahbadia’s lawyer, Abhinav Chandrachud, the son of the previous Chief Justice, DY Chandrachud, in the court’s crosshairs over his position on the comments.
Mr Chandrachud declared himself “personally disgusted” by what Mr Allahbadia said; “I cannot defend on moral grounds,” he said, but also pointed out “… whether it (the comment in question) rises to the level of criminal offense is another question”.
The court, though, appeared initially disinclined to agree with Mr Chandrachud; Justice Kant was particularly irate, declaring, “If this is not obscenity in this country, then what it!?”
The hearing then turned into a fierce tongue-lashing for the Youtuber, aka ‘BeerBiceps guy’ on Instagram, with Justice Kant declaring “there is something dirty in his mind that is spread by this programme” and demanding to know “why should the court entertain such persons”.
“What embarrassment he has caused to his parents? We know from where he has copied the question. There are certain societies where they warn who are not supposed to watch such programmes… (referring to age-restrictions for TV programmes) they maintain precautions.”
“… but just because somebody thinks ‘I am popular, I can speak anything and take society for granted’ … you tell us, who in the world would like such words?” Justice Kant raged.
“The words you have chosen… parents will be ashamed, and sisters will be ashamed. The entire society will feel ashamed. The perversion you and your henchmen have exhibited!”
Eventually, though, the court also acknowledged the issue of death threats, saying, “We have a judicial system… we are bound by the rule of law. If there are threats, the law will take its course. We are not supporting this (the threats). I am sure the State will provide necessary protection…”
