Ranveer Allahbadia Summoned by Guwahati Crime Branch in "India's Got Latent" Controversy
Popular YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, better known as BeerBiceps, was arrested on March 7, 2025, by the Guwahati Crime Branch under an ongoing investigation into the controversial online show "India's Got Latent." The case has sparked nationwide debates on free speech, online censorship, and content regulation in India.
Background of the Controversy
The controversy erupted on February 10, 2025, when an episode of India's Got Latent featured a segment that was found objectionable by the majority of viewers. In this episode, Allahbadia posed an explicit and inappropriate question, and there was an outrage all over the country, along with legal notice.
Police Investigation and Legal Actions
There was a public outcry following which some FIRs (First Information Reports) were filed against Ranveer Allahbadia and other contestants of the show, including:
✅ Samay Raina (show host)
✅ Ashish Chanchlani (YouTuber)
✅ Apoorva Makhija (influencer)
✅ Jaspreet Singh (comedian)
The Guwahati Crime Branch have filed cases under:
- The Indian Penal Code (IPC) for promotion of obscenity
- The Information Technology (IT) Act
- The Cinematograph Act for obscene portrayal of women
Both Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis have denounced the act, terming for further regulation of content on the digital platform.
Court Orders and Legal Defence
On February 18, 2025, Allahbadia went to the Supreme Court seeking protection from arrest. Though the court gave him interim relief, it criticised his act as "irresponsible and condemnable." As part of his bail conditions, he was directed to:
Surrender his passport
Refrain from traveling abroad without permission
Public Apologies and Content Removal
In response to the controversy:
✔️ Ranveer Allahbadia issued a public apology, admitting his comments were inappropriate.
✔️ Samay Raina deleted all episodes of India’s Got Latent from YouTube.
Impact on Digital Content Regulation
The case has put pressure on tighter regulation of YouTube and OTT platforms. A parliamentary panel is already considering amendments to regulate obscene content online, striking a balance between freedom of expression and responsible content creation.
Conclusion
The India's Got Latent controversy has initiated a national discourse on the ethics of online material, influencer responsibility, and government censorship. While there are ongoing legal proceedings, the future of regulation of online material in India remains unpredictable.
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