New Delhi:
The Supreme Court has refused to release the passport of podcaster and YouTube personality Ranveer Allahbadia, who is being investigated for his ‘sex and parents’ comment on stand-up comedy show ‘India’s Got Latent’. The court, however, said it would consider the plea after the investigation is over, which Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said would be within two weeks.
The court also extended its order giving him interim protection from arrest over police cases registered in Mumbai, Guwahati, and Jaipur. The court had first granted this protection last month, when he had been told to submit his passport. The court also fired a scathing rebuke at Mr Allahbadia, declaring “there is something dirty in his mind that is spread by this programme”.
Mr Allahbadia today offered an undertaking to maintain a level of ‘decency’ in his shows as he sought the modification of court orders to deposit his passport. He said not having his passport – which means he cannot travel abroad for shows – was affecting his livelihood.
Mr Mehta, appearing for the prosecution, acknowledged that Mr Allahbadia had joined the investigation in Guwahati and appeared before the National Commission for Women when summoned, and also noted the undertaking that his shows will “maintain decency…”
The investigation, he confirmed, would be completed in two weeks.
Police from Mumbai (including a Cyber Department team) and Guwahati had filed cases against Mr Allahbadia and are conducting inquiries into the allegedly obscene comments that were made during an episode of ‘India’s Got Latent’.