Popular YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani has approached the Supreme Court seeking the dismissal of multiple FIRs registered against him in Assam and Maharashtra. The cases stem from alleged obscene remarks made during a controversial episode of the YouTube show India’s Got Latent. The apex court is set to hear the plea today.
Supreme Court Hearing and Legal Developments
In his petition, Chanchlani has requested that the Assam case be quashed and that any related investigation be transferred to Mumbai Police. A Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh will oversee the proceedings.
Earlier, on February 12, the Guwahati High Court granted Chanchlani anticipatory bail, directing him to appear before investigators within ten days.
The Controversial Episode
The controversy revolves around India’s Got Latent, a stand-up comedy show hosted by Samay Raina. The show, known for its bold humor, has a significant online following, with over 7.3 million subscribers.
An episode released on February 8 sparked outrage due to offensive remarks about parents and women, leading to public backlash. The show regularly features different judges, and each episode allows contestants 90 seconds to showcase their talent.
FIRs and Government Action
Following the uproar, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that Guwahati Police had registered FIRs against several YouTubers and influencers, including:
- Ashish Chanchlani
- Jaspreet Singh
- Apoorva Makheja
- Ranveer Allahbadia
- Samay Raina
Additionally, on February 12, Mumbai Police’s Cyber Branch registered a second FIR within two days against Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay Raina. Legal action was also initiated against 30 guests who had appeared on the show since its inception.
Calls for a Ban on the Show
The All Indian Cine Workers Association has urged Home Minister Amit Shah to impose a ban on India’s Got Latent, arguing that such content misleads the country’s youth.
Ranveer Allahbadia Granted Relief
Meanwhile, Ranveer Allahbadia received relief from the court in his obscenity case. However, the court issued a strong reprimand, stating that his comments were distasteful and offensive, embarrassing both parents and young women.
With the Supreme Court set to hear Ashish Chanchlani’s plea today, all eyes are on the legal proceedings and their potential impact on digital content regulation in India.