NEW DELHI: YouTubers Ranveer Allahbadia and Ashish Chanchlani have voluntarily reached out to the cyber cell, expressing their willingness to record their statements in connection with a case regarding alleged obscenity promotion on the controversial show India’s Got Latent.
The Cyber Cell officials confirmed on Monday that both influencers had contacted them and agreed to appear after summons were issued for them to testify.
The development comes amid a series of legal actions stemming from India’s Got Latent show.
Ashish Chanchlani had recently approached the Supreme Court seeking to quash or transfer an FIR filed against him in Guwahati.
The FIR relates to accusations of promoting obscenity on the show. The Supreme Court, on February 18, issued notices to both the Maharashtra and Assam governments, tagging Chanchlani’s plea with a similar request filed by Ranveer Allahbadia, also known as BeerBiceps.
The case involves Allahbadia, who is the primary accused, and Chanchlani, both of whom are named in an FIR lodged by the Guwahati Police.
The FIR stems from comments made by Allahbadia during his guest appearance on India’s Got Latent, a comedy YouTube show hosted by Samay Raina.
Allahbadia made controversial remarks about a participant’s parents, which were quickly criticised as inappropriate and sexually explicit.
The remarks sparked outrage on social media, with public figures, political leaders, and citizens condemning the comments.
In response, Allahbadia issued an apology, and Raina removed all videos of the show from his YouTube channel, stating that he was fully cooperating with authorities.
The controversy took a legal turn as the Supreme Court criticised Allahbadia’s remarks, describing them as “dirty and perverted” but granted him interim protection from arrest.
The Gauhati high court recently granted Chanchlani pre-arrest bail and directed him to appear before investigating officers within 10 days.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced that an FIR was filed against several individuals, including Allahbadia, Raina, and Chanchlani, for allegedly engaging in sexually explicit discussions and promoting obscenity on the show. The case continues to unfold as the authorities investigate the matter.
(With agency inputs)