SC says probe against Ranveer Allahbadia complete
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday observed that the investigation against podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia had been completed and scheduled a hearing on April 28 to consider his plea seeking the return of his passport in connection with a case related to allegedly distasteful remarks made on a YouTube show.
On February 18, the apex court had granted interim protection to Allahbadia from arrest in multiple FIRs lodged over his comments during the show. It also directed him to deposit his passport with the investigating officer of the Nodal Cyber Police Station in Thane.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh noted that the investigation concerning Allahbadia was complete and stated that his plea would be taken up on April 28.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Assam and Maharashtra police, informed the bench that in the Guwahati FIR, the statement of a co-accused was yet to be recorded, while the investigation in the Mumbai FIR had concluded, although a chargesheet was still pending.
The bench recorded this submission and reiterated that the probe against Allahbadia was concluded.
Earlier, on March 3, the court permitted Allahbadia to resume hosting his podcast, "The Ranveer Show," with the condition that the content must uphold standards of morality and decency, making it appropriate for audiences of all age groups.
Allahbadia, widely known online as BeerBiceps, had been booked over comments he made about parents and sex during comedian Samay Raina’s YouTube show titled "India’s Got Latent." The Supreme Court had initially restrained him from releasing any podcast episodes that might influence the ongoing legal proceedings.
When granting interim relief on February 18, the court criticized Allahbadia’s comments, calling them "vulgar" and describing him as having a "dirty mind" that brought shame upon society.
Apart from Allahbadia and Raina, others named in the Assam FIR include comedians Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Makhija.
With PTI Inputs
