Supreme Court Refuses To Release Youtuber Ranveer Allahbadia’s Passport Citing Ongoing Probe

The Supreme Court has declined to return the passport of podcaster and YouTube star Ranveer Allahbadia, who is under scrutiny for his 'sex and parents' remark on the stand-up comedy programme 'India's Got Latent'.

However, the court indicated it might review the request once the investigation concludes, which Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated would take about two weeks.

Photo Credit: PTI

The court also prolonged its earlier order providing Allahbadia with temporary protection from arrest in connection with police cases filed in Mumbai, Guwahati, and Jaipur.

This safeguard was initially granted last month, when he was instructed to surrender his passport. The court delivered a sharp reprimand to Allahbadia, stating, "there is something dirty in his mind that is spread by this programme."

Today, Allahbadia submitted a pledge to uphold a standard of 'decency' in his content as he requested the court to amend its order requiring him to deposit his passport. He argued that being unable to travel abroad for performances, due to the passport restriction, was harming his income.

Mehta, representing the prosecution, confirmed that Allahbadia had cooperated with the investigation in Guwahati and appeared before the National Commission for Women when called. He also acknowledged Allahbadia's commitment to ensuring his shows would "maintain decency..." going forward.

The investigation, Mehta affirmed, would wrap up within two weeks.

Police from Mumbai (including a Cyber Department unit) and Guwahati have registered cases against Allahbadia and are probing the allegedly offensive remarks made during an episode of 'India's Got Latent'.