New Delhi:

Social media channels and OTT websites were warned Thursday to follow the Code of Ethics prescribed in the IT Rules (2021) and ensure critical self-regulation, as well as implement “access control for ‘A’ rated content” to avoid children consuming inappropriate content.

The notification from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry comes amid a row over ‘obscene’ remarks made by podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia during an episode of stand-up comedy show ‘India’s Got Latent’. The episode in question was on YouTube till the government ordered its removal.

The notification stated it had received complaints about the “spread of obscene, pornographic, and vulgar content by certain publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms) and social media”.

The government stressed that the law requires OTT platforms to “not transmit any content which is prohibited by law (and) undertake age-based classification of content”.

“Further, the Rules provide that self-regulatory bodies of OTT platforms shall oversee and ensure alignment and adherence by the OTT platforms to the Code of Ethics,” the notification said.

“In view of the above it is advised OTT platforms adhere to various provisions of applicable laws, and Code of Ethics prescribed under IT Rules, 2021 while publishing content on platforms, including stricter adherence of age-based classification of content prescribed under Code of Ethics,” the notification said.

The notification also followed sharp questions from the Supreme Court this week, as it heard a plea by Mr Allahbadia to club the police cases (two, so far) that have been filed against him.

A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh came down hard on Mr Allahbadia, also known as ‘BeerBiceps guy’ on Instagram, for his comment about parents and sex, and asked the centre if it is planning to take steps to regulate “obscene” content online.

READ | “Dirt On Mind”: Court Relief But Scathing Rebuke For Allahbadia

The court also said it would not “leave a vacuum” and that it would take action if needed.

“Union of India is a party… We would like to do something. Government of India will willingly do it, we will be very happy. Otherwise, we are not going to leave this vacuum. The way it is being misused by so-called YouTube channels… we have issued notice…” the court said.

READ | “Won’t Leave Vacuum”: Top Court On ‘Obscene’ Content Online

After the court’s questions to the centre, a parliamentary panel had asked the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to submit a note on the efficacy of existing laws in dealing with such cases, and suggest amendments needed to bring online platforms under required legal scrutiny.

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New Delhi:

The Supreme Court heard a plea by influencer Ranveer Allahbadia against the FIRs lodged over his comments on parents and sex during a show on YouTube. The court said no further FIRs will be registered against him.

New Delhi:

The Supreme Court is set to hear YouTuber and Podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia’s petition today, seeking the clubbing of multiple cases filed against him over his controversial remarks made on comedian Samay Raina’s show ‘India’s Got Latent’. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh is expected to take up the case today.

The hearing has been scheduled after Allahbadia, who is facing police inquiries, moved the Supreme Court last week asking the FIRs against him to be combined. He also sought anticipatory bail to ward off arrest from Guwahati Police. Last week, Allahbadia’s lawyer, Abhinav Chandrachud – the son of former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud – sought an urgent listing of the matter in the top court. However, the request was turned down by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna.

Several FIRs have been filed against Allahbadia aka ‘BeerBiceps Guy’ in Maharashtra, Assam, and Jaipur – following which he has been asked to appear in person to record statements. He is yet to respond to investigation agencies after being named in FIRs filed by Maharashtra Cyber Department, Guwahati Police, and Jaipur Police in the ‘India’s Got Latent’ case, the police said.

Days after trying to get in touch with the Podcaster, the Mumbai and Guwahati police issued a joint statement on Monday saying Allahbadia has continuously been out of contact with the investigation agencies.

“Apart from Maharashtra Cyber and Guwahati Police, the Jaipur Police have also filed a case against Ranveer Allahbadia, but he has not yet been in contact with them too. Maharashtra Cyber Department has ordered Ranveer to appear before it on February 24,” it said.

Last week, officials went to look for Allahbadia at his Mumbai residence, but his apartment was locked.

Allahbadia was also supposed to appear before the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Monday morning, but as with the summons from Mumbai Police, he skipped the call. He has been summoned again by the women’s panel on March 6.

The Podcaster has cited death threats for not being able to appear before the investigating agencies. Posting a statement on social media, Allahbadia said, “I am watching death threats pour in from people saying they want to kill me… hurt my family…Some even tried to invade my other’s clinic posing as patients.”

“I am feeling scared and I don’t know what to do… But I am not running away. I have full faith in the police and the judicial system of India,” he added.

‘India’s Got Latent’ row

A huge row broke out after Allahbadia made distasteful comments about parents and sex on Raina’s show ‘India’s Got Latent’. The remarks sparked massive outrage and a debate in Parliament, leading to multiple complaints against the social media personality.

Cases have been filed against other YouTubers who appeared on the show including Raina, Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Mukhija.

Hours after the episode was taken down from YouTube, Raina issued a statement saying he had removed all videos of the show from his channel and was “fully cooperating” with the authorities. “Everything that has been happening has been too much for me to handle. I have removed all India’s Got Latent videos from my channel. My only objective was to make people laugh and have a good time. I will fully cooperate with all agencies to ensure their inquiries are concluded fairly. Thank you,” he said.

Allahbadia also apologised in a video saying his comments were not “just inappropriate but also not even funny”.

“Comedy is not my forte, I am just here to say sorry,” he said in a video message. He also acknowledged he had misused his platform. “I am not going to give any context or justification or reasoning behind whatever happened. I am just here for an apology. I personally had a lapse in judgment. It wasn’t cool on my part,” he said.

Jaipur:

 YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia has continuously been out of contact with the investigation agencies, Mumbai and Guwahati Police said in a joint statement.

He is yet to respond to investigation agencies after being named in FIRs filed by Maharashtra Cyber Department, Guwahati Police, and Jaipur Police in the ‘India’s Got Latent’ case, the police said.

“Apart from Maharashtra Cyber and Guwahati Police, the Jaipur Police have also filed a case against Ranveer Allahbadia, but he has not yet been in contact with them too. Maharashtra Cyber Department has ordered Ranveer to appear before it on 24,” Mumbai and Guwahati Police said in a joint statement.

Maharashtra Cyber Cell has summoned YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia to appear before it on February 24.

The Cyber Cell is investigating the case registered against Ranveer Allahbadia and others after he triggered an uproar with his offensive remarks on the show ‘India’s Got Latent.’

Comedian Samay Raina has also been asked to appear before the cyber cell on February 18.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also investigated the matter and has issued summons to Allahbadia, Raina, and others.

However, many of those summoned failed to appear before the commission today, citing concerns about their personal safety, prior foreign travel commitments, and other logistical challenges.

The Commission said that Ranveer Allahbadia had informed it that he was receiving death threats and requested a new hearing date after three weeks. The Commission has accepted his request and rescheduled the hearing for March 6.

The show’s host, Samay Raina, has apologized for the remark, stating that his only intention was to entertain people.

In a statement on his Instagram Story, Raina said, “Everything that has been happening has been too much for me to handle. I have removed all India’s Got Latent videos from my channel. My only objective was to make people laugh and have a good time. I will fully cooperate with all agencies to ensure their inquiries are concluded fairly. Thank you.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The Supreme Court will likely hear on Tuesday a plea by YouTube personality Ranveer Allahbadia, aka ‘BeerBiceps Guy’, to club FIRs that have been filed across various states, including Maharashtra and Assam, over controversial remarks he made on stand-up comedy show ‘India’s Got Latent’.

Mr Allahbadia – who faces police investigations, has been summoned by the National Commission for Women, and may also have to face a parliamentary panel – moved the Supreme Court last week, asking that FIRs against him be combined for ease of representation and sought anticipatory bail.

He also sought an urgent hearing, a request the bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna nixed.

Mr Allahbadia, who runs a popular podcast on YouTube and is widely followed on social media, was supposed to appear before the NCW this morning, but, as with the summons from Mumbai Police, he skipped the call. He later claimed death threats stopped him from travelling to the NCW meet.

He has now been summoned again on March 6.

The social media personality on Saturday confessed to feeling “scared” by the threats to his life but insisted he would not back down. “I am watching death threats pour in from people saying they want to kill me… hurt my family,” he said, also claiming an ‘invasion’ of his mother’s medical clinic.

“I am feeling scared, and I don’t know what to do… But I am not running away. I have full faith in the police and the judicial system of India,” he said.

The controversy broke after Mr Allahbadia’s comment about parents and sex during an episode of ‘India’s Got Latent’. The remarks sparked fury online, against him and the show’s producers, hosts, and participants, many of whom also face police cases and have been summoned for questioning.

At least two others – show host Samay Raima and participant Apoorva Makhija – also got threats.

Police from Mumbai and Guwahati went looking for Mr Allahbadia at his home in the former city last week, only to find the door locked and the social media personality – whose requests to record his statement via a video conference have been turned down – missing.

So far, the Mumbai cops, acting on a complaint from a BJP functionary, have recorded the statements of seven individuals; these include Ms Makhija and Ashish Chanchalani, another social media influencer. Separate investigations are being conducted by Guwahati Police and Maharashtra’s Cyber Department.

After the row broke, Allahbadia offered an apology and blamed a lapse in judgement.

“My comment wasn’t just inappropriate… it was not even funny. Comedy is not my forte, I am just here to say sorry,” he said in a video message. The podcaster said this was not how he wished to use his platform. “I am not going to give any context or justification or reasoning behind whatever happened. I am just here for an apology. I personally had a lapse in judgement. It wasn’t cool on my part,” he said.

Apologising again for his remarks, Mr Allahbadia on Saturday said, “My remark about parents was insensitive and disrespectful and I am genuinely sorry”.

New Delhi:

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued a new hearing date for ‘India’s Got Latent’ Youtubers including Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay Raina after they failed to appear in response to its summons regarding crass remarks made on their show. The women’s panel had summoned Ranveer Allahabadia, Samay Raina, Apoorva Mukhija, Jaspreet Singh, Ashish Chanchlani, Tushar Poojari, Saurabh Bothra and Balraj Ghai, to appear before it today at noon.

However, all the creators failed to appear before the panel citing concerns over personal safety, prior travel commitments, and other logistical challenges.

Ranveer Allahbadia, citing death threats had requested the commission to postpone the hearing for three weeks. He has now been summoned before the panel on March 6. Similarly, Apoorva Mukhija had expressed safety concerns and requested the panel to appear virtually. However, the panel denied her request and issued a fresh date of March 6 to appear before it.

Samay Raina, who is currently on a pre-planned tour to the US, assured the commission that he will appear for a hearing once he returns to India. The commission accepted his request and rescheduled the hearing for March 11. Comedian Jaspreet Singh is also on a pre-planned tour in Paris and will return by March 10. He has also been asked to appear before the panel on March 11.

Ashish Chanchlani, whose lawyer appeared on his behalf citing illness, has been granted a rescheduled hearing on March 6.

Producer of the show ‘India’s Got Latent’, Balraj Ghai, informed the commission that he is currently out of India and will respond once he returns. To this, the commission has rescheduled the hearing on March 11. The other two producers – Tushar Poojari and Saurabh Bothra – did not respond to the summons, drawing condemnation from the panel. They have been summoned again to reappear on March 6.

Additionally, Maharashtra Cyber Cell had asked Raina to record his statement in person on February 18. However, since the YouTuber is on a tour in the US, he filed a petition saying he would not be able to return to India before March 17. The Cyber Cell has refused the petition.

‘India’s Got Latent’ row

A huge row broke out after YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, known as ‘BeerBiceps’, made distasteful comments about parents and sex on Raina’s show ‘India’s Got Latent’. The remarks sparked massive outrage, leading to multiple complaints against the social media personality.

Earlier this week, teams of Mumbai and Assam police visited Allahbadia’s home to record his statement, but they found it locked. A day later, Allahbadia issued a statement on social media saying he has been cooperating with the police and all other authorities and “will be available to all the agencies”. He also mentioned that he has been getting death threats.

Raina also issued a statement saying he had removed all videos of the show from his channel and was “fully cooperating” with the authorities. “Everything that has been happening has been too much for me to handle. I have removed all India’s Got Latent videos from my channel. My only objective was to make people laugh and have a good time. I will fully cooperate with all agencies to ensure their inquiries are concluded fairly. Thank you,” he said.

Mumbai:

Maharashtra Cyber Cell has refused the plea of YouTuber Samay Raina to allow him to record his statement in the ‘India’s Got Latent’ controversy via video-conferencing.

Raina in his plea said that he is currently in the US and won’t be able to return to India before March 17 due to prior commitments.

Maharashtra Cyber Cell said that Raina has been asked to record his statement in person on February 18.

Raina hosted show ‘India’s Got Latent’ got embroiled in controversy over comments made by podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia.

During the show, he asked a contestant, “Would you rather watch your parents… or join in once and stop it forever?”
Following a massive backlash, a formal complaint was filed against Ranveer Allahbadia, social media influencer Apoorva Makhija, comedian Samay Raina, and the organizers of ‘India’s Got Latent.’

Samay later took to his Instagram Stories to share a statement, stating that he had removed all videos of the show from his channel and was “fully cooperating” with the authorities. He also added that his only intention was to entertain people.

“Everything that has been happening has been too much for me to handle. I have removed all India’s Got Latent videos from my channel. My only objective was to make people laugh and have a good time. I will fully cooperate with all agencies to ensure their inquiries are concluded fairly. Thank you,” Samay wrote on his Instagram Story.

On Friday, the Youtuber and Podcaster approached the Supreme Court seeking to club multiple FIRs lodged against him across India over his recent inappropriate comments during his guest appearance on a show ‘India’s Got Latent’.

Senior advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, appearing for Allahbadia, mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna requesting an urgent hearing in the case.

Advocate Chandrachud told the bench that multiple FIRs were registered against him, and Assam Police summoned him on Friday. CJI Khanna said he does not allow oral mentionings and clarified that a listing of the case date has been assigned.

On February 11, the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, said the Guwahati Police had registered an FIR against YouTubers and social influencers Allahbadia, Samay Raina, Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, Apoorva Makhija, and others for promoting obscenity and engaging in sexually explicit and vulgar discussions on India’s Got Latent.

FIRs have been registered against them in Maharashtra and Assam.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, who is in the eye of a raging storm, said that he has been receiving death threats amid controversy over his crass remarks on a reality show. “I am feeling scared… But, I am not running away,” the podcaster said in an Instagram post.

“I am watching death threats pour in from people saying that they want to kill me and hurt my family,” he said, claiming that some even tried to “invade” his mother’s clinic posing as patients.

“I am feeling scared and I don’t know what to do… But I am not running away. I have full faith in the police and the judicial system of India,” he added.

Ranveer Allahbadia, who has gained massive popularity on YouTube for his ‘BeerBiceps’ channel, had made distasteful comments about parents and sex on comedian Samay Raina’s now-deleted YouTube show ‘India’s Got Latent’. The remarks sparked massive outrage, leading to multiple complaints against the social media personality.

Apologising again for his remarks, Mr Allahbadia today said, “My remark about parents was insensitive and disrespectful and I am genuinely sorry”.

He has been asked to turn up before the Mumbai Police in connection with his remarks. On Friday, teams of Mumbai and Assam police on visited his home in the Versova area but it was locked.

In his post, the content creator has said that he has been cooperating with the police and all other authorities and “will be available to all the agencies”.

He had earlier requested the Khar police that his statement be recorded at his residence, but his request was turned down. Meanwhile, an Assam police team also wants to question Mr Allahbadia in a case registered in Guwahati on a complaint by a resident there for alleged promotion of obscenity in a publicly accessible online show.

The case also names Mr Raina and other guest judges – Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh and Apoorva Makhija – besides Mr Allahbadia.

Mr Allahbadia – who has millions of followers and subscribers on Instagram and YouTube – earlier said the remark, apparently intended for quick laughs, was a “lapse in judgement”.

“Comedy is not my forte. Just here to say sorry… Many of you asked if this is how I wish to use my platform…. Family is the last thing that I would ever disrespect. Need to use this platform better and that’s been my learning from this whole experience. I promise to just get better… I hope you can forgive me as a human being,” he had said in a video statement on X.

Mumbai:

Actor Raghu Ram on Saturday said he wished the YouTube show hosted by comedian Samay Raina had not included “some jokes that caused such hurt” amid widespread outrage over podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia’s controversial remarks on an episode.

Mr Ram, who was on the judges panel in one of the episodes of the now-deleted ‘India’s Got Latent’, released an official statement two days after he appeared before the Maharashtra Cyber Department amid a probe into the show.

The news seems to have its own agenda regarding the ongoing IGL investigation. Statements I have made are being spun to make it sound different. Since their version is out, I’d like to put out mine as well: pic.twitter.com/7CSvFeEWcC

— Raghu Ram (@tweetfromRaghu) February 15, 2025

“I do not regret being part of IGL. I wish the show had not included some jokes that caused such hurt. The sensibilities of a paying audience in a show can differ from a larger YouTube audience,” he said.

“I might have kept some jokes out of the episode, but I am nobody to tell Samay or the makers what jokes to keep and which, if any, words to beep. It is their call, and I’m sure they don’t take that responsibility lightly,” Mr Ram, who was a former judge in the reality TV show Roadies, added.

He also said that freedom of speech is meaningless without the freedom to offend. 

“Offence is often taken even when none is intended. But of course, I am sorry if I have actually caused hurt to anyone,” he said.

He also said that comedians “push” boundaries, call out society and speak truth to power while entertaining. “But no comedian sets out to hurt sentiments. And they would be the first to apologise if they did.”

“I do hope society maintains a proper perspective on the scale of this issue compared to others that need more outrage,” the actor.

Mr Ram is among at least 50 people who have been summoned to record their statements.

His statement comes days after Mr Allahbadia, widely known by his online moniker “BeerBiceps”, sparked massive controversy with his remarks about parents and sex during an episode of ‘India’s Got Latent’, which also featured content creators like Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh and Apoorva Mukhija, who goes by the name “The Rebel Kid” on Instagram.

“Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once and stop it forever?” Mr Allahbadia had asked a contestant. 

After the backlash, he offered an apology and said he “shouldn’t have said what he said”.

The Mumbai Police have so far questioned eight people, including Apoorva Makhija, Ashish Chanchalani, Mr Allahbadia’s manager and the video editor of ‘India’s Got Latent’, on a complaint filed by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader. The city police have so far not registered any case in this connection.

Mr Raina has also been summoned by Mumbai Police and Maharashtra’s Cyber Department, which is conducting an independent investigation. He had been told to appear within five days but has asked for more time, stating he is currently in the US.

Cops Find Ranveer Allahbadia’s Mumbai Flat Locked

Teams of Mumbai and Assam police on Friday visited Ranveer Allahbadia’s Mumbai residence but found the flat locked. A police officer told news agency PTI that Mumbai law enforcement had initiated an inquiry and went to the apartment, in the city’s Versova neighbourhood, to question him.

On Thursday, Mr Allahbadia had been asked to report to the police station in Mumbai’s Khar to record his statement. However, he later requested that this be done at his home.

His request, however, was denied and after he failed to appear, the cops issued a second summons and then landed up at his home.

The cops from Assam wanted to question the 31-year-old podcaster in a case filed by a city resident, who had accused him of promoting obscene content on an online platform available to all.

Besides Mr Allahbadia and Mr Raina, others named in the case in Assam are Mr Chanchlani, Mr Singh and Ms Makhija.

Mumbai:

Actor Raghu Ram has appeared before the Maharashtra Cyber Department amid a probe into podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia’s controversial remarks on a YouTube show hosted by comedian Samay Raina.

Mr Allahbadia, widely known by his online moniker “BeerBiceps”, sparked massive outrage this week with his remarks about parents and sex during an episode of the now-deleted show ‘India’s Got Latent’, which also featured content creators like Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh and Apoorva Mukhija, who goes by the name “The Rebel Kid” on Instagram.

“Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once and stop it forever?” Mr Allahbadia had asked a contestant. 

After the backlash, he offered an apology and blamed a lapse in judgement.

Mr Ram, who was on the judges panel in one of the episodes, allegedly told the cyber cell on Thursday that Mr Raina should have edited the abusive language used in the show, sources said.

He also confessed that he regretted using abusive language in the show.

Mumbai, Maharashtra: Film actor & judge of the show India’s Got Latent Raghu Ram left the Maharashtra Cyber Cell office after being questioned in the India’s Got Lalent case pic.twitter.com/R91TQnHqIT

— IANS (@ians_india) February 13, 2025

Mr Ram also said that he went with the flow and used swear words, but didn’t intend to hurt anyone’s feelings, sources claimed.

Mr Ram was among at least 50 people who have been summoned to record their statements.

The Mumbai Police have so far questioned eight people, including Apoorva Makhija, Ashish Chanchalani, Mr Allahbadia’s manager and the video editor of ‘India’s Got Latent’, on a complaint filed by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader. The city police have so far not registered any case in this connection.

Mr Raina has also been summoned by Mumbai Police and Maharashtra’s Cyber Department, which is conducting an independent investigation. He had been told to appear within five days but has asked for more time, stating he is currently in the US.

Cops Find Ranveer Allahbadia’s Mumbai Flat Locked

Teams of Mumbai and Assam police on Friday visited Ranveer Allahbadia’s Mumbai residence but found the flat locked. A police officer told news agency PTI that Mumbai law enforcement had initiated an inquiry and went to the apartment, in the city’s Versova neighbourhood, to question him.

On Thursday, Mr Allahbadia had been asked to report to the police station in Mumbai’s Khar to record his statement. However, he later requested that this be done at his home.

His request, however, was denied and after he failed to appear, the cops issued a second summons and then landed up at his home.

The cops from Assam wanted to question the 31-year-old podcaster in a case filed by a city resident, who had accused him of promoting obscene content on an online platform available to all.

Besides Mr Allahbadia and Mr Raina, others named in the case in Assam are Mr Chanchlani, Mr Singh and Ms Makhija.