Kumar Bahukhandi
Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, a Bombay High Court lawyer and the son of former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, represented YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia in the Supreme Court on Tuesday February 18,2025
Ranveer Allahbadia appeared as a judge on Samay Raina’s show- ‘India’s Got Latent’ and allegedly made an objectionable joke while talking to one of the contestants. A huge uproar erupted after this, leading to an FIR against him, Samay Raina, Apoorva Mukhija, and other panelists in Maharashtra and Assam.
New Delhi: “Are you defending the kind of statements made?” Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant asked Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, appearing for YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, in the ‘India’s Got Latent row’. The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday heard a writ petition filed by YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia regarding the FIRs registered against him across multiple states over his remarks during the show.
During the hearing, Allahbadia was represented by Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, a Bombay High Court lawyer and the son of former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.
As Abhinav Chandrachud sought the clubbing of FIRs registered against Allahbadia, Justice Kant asked, “Are you defending the kind of statements made?” To this, Chandrachud replied, “Not at all. I am personally disgusted. But whether it rises to the level of criminal offence in another question.”
“The show was paid and locked…Some subscriber made a copy of 10-second clip out of a 45-min show. It was meant for adults…please see petitioner’s mother is a doctor, people are posing as patients, going to her and abusing,” highlighted Chandrachud.
Citing legal precedents, Chandrachud said, “One of the co-accused has been threatened with acid attack. In Nupur’s case, there were threats and the remarks were worse. The moment there is 2nd FIR, it constitutes abuse of process.”
On Ranveer getting threats, Justice Kant said, “If you can seek cheap publicity by using abusive language, this person extending threat is also seeking publicity.”
Justice Kant said that the bench is not “not supporting” the threats being issued to Ranveer. “I am sure that the State would provide necessary protection if they are calling you,” Justice N Kotiswar Singh said.
Ranveer Allahbadia appeared as a judge on Samay Raina’s show- ‘India’s Got Latent’ and allegedly made an objectionable joke while talking to one of the contestants. A huge uproar erupted after this, leading to an FIR against him, Samay Raina, Apoorva Mukhija, other panelists and in Maharashtra.
SC Pulls Up Allahbadia, Grants Relief From Arrest
The Supreme Court granted influencer Ranveer Allahbadia protection from arrest in multiple FIRs and also strongly criticised him for the remarks. Besides granting him protection from any coercive action in FIRs lodged in Mumbai and Guwahati, the bench also said no further FIRs shall be lodged against him for his comments during the YouTube show, ‘India’s Got Latent’.
“What according to you is obscenity? You say this is not obscenity. If this is not obscenity then what is ?” the bench noted. “Total lack of responsibility. People think if I am popular I can say anything..total violation of rules of morality, obscenity…there is something very dirty in his mind.”
Besides, the top court restrained Allahbadia and his associate influencers on the controversial YouTube show from airing any other episode till further orders.
