A case has been filed against YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as Beer Biceps, and comedian Samay Raina, along with others, by the Maharashtra cyber police for allegedly creating and broadcasting “obscene” content on Raina’s show India’s Got Latent.
According to The Indian Express, this is the second FIR against them, following a case registered by the Assam police on Monday. A parliamentary panel is also reportedly considering summoning Allahbadia regarding the matter.
The controversy stems from an episode of India’s Got Latent, a satirical parody of India’s Got Talent, where Allahbadia made an inappropriate remark, asking a contestant whether they would rather watch their parents engage in sexual activity every day for the rest of their life or participate once to stop it forever.
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The cyber police have charged those involved under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, which pertains to the transmission of obscene material electronically, along with other relevant sections. A senior Maharashtra cyber police officer told the publication that a case has been registered against 30 individuals, including artists, hosts, judges, and participants from all six episodes of the show. Summons will soon be issued for them to join the investigation.
The action follows Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s announcement on social media about legal proceedings against Allahbadia and others in his state.
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Following the backlash, Allahbadia issued a public apology via Instagram, acknowledging his mistake. “My comment wasn’t just inappropriate, it wasn’t even funny. Comedy is not my forte, just here to say sorry,” he stated. He further admitted that his remark reflected poor judgment and assured viewers that he would take his platform’s influence more seriously. He also mentioned requesting the removal of the insensitive segments from the video.
However, his apology was met with skepticism, with many considering it an attempt at damage control. While some fans supported him, many others dismissed the apology and expressed their disappointment.
Allahbadia, who commands a significant online following—including 3.4 million followers on his personal Instagram, 4.4 million on his Beer Biceps page, and 8.23 million subscribers on YouTube—has built a diverse portfolio. He has interviewed high-profile figures such as Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, former RAW chief Vikram Sood, activists, lawyers, athletes like former footballer Rio Ferdinand and ex-Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, as well as Bollywood celebrities like Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor. Some of his interviews featuring foreign travelers discussing their experiences in Pakistan have also gone viral.