Podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia has pledged to uphold decency in his digital broadcasts, according to an undertaking filed with the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Represented by senior advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, Allahbadia has expressed his commitment to maintaining a decorous tone in his shows, amidst an ongoing legal scrutiny.
The controversy surrounds comments made by Allahbadia, also known as BeerBiceps, on a guest appearance in the YouTube show “India’s Got Latent” hosted by comic Samay Raina. His remarks, deemed inappropriate by some, sparked significant backlash and led to legal challenges, including cases filed in Maharashtra and Assam.
During the proceedings, Chandrachud argued for a modification of the conditions imposed by the Supreme Court, which included the surrender of Allahbadia’s passport, claiming that this requirement hampered his client’s professional obligations that involve international travel for interviews.
Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh, however, expressed concerns about the potential impact of Allahbadia’s international travel on the ongoing investigation. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the states involved, estimated the probe could conclude within two weeks, prompting the bench to defer the decision on the passport issue until that time.
This judicial interaction follows a previous order from March 3, in which the Supreme Court allowed Allahbadia to continue his podcast, “The Ranveer Show,” with the stipulation that the content adheres to standards of “morality and decency” suitable for all age groups.
The case has also implicated other popular figures from the Indian comedy scene, including Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Makhija, who have been named alongside Allahbadia and Raina. The Supreme Court had previously granted Allahbadia interim protection from arrest, criticizing his remarks as “vulgar” and indicative of a “dirty mind,” which allegedly brought disrepute to societal norms.
