New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to lift travel restrictions on YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, also known as BeerBiceps, while an investigation continues in the obscenity case related to his podcast episode on India's Got Latent.
A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice NK Singh ruled that Allahbadia’s request to travel abroad would only be considered after the probe concluded.
Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, representing the Maharashtra government, informed the Court that the investigation would take two more weeks.
The Court noted that Allahbadia had given an undertaking to ensure decency in his podcast and avoid discussing any sub judice matters. However, since he might be required for further questioning, the Court declined to release his passport at this stage.
"The petitioner has assured that his show will maintain decency and will not discuss issues pending in different legal forums.
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The Solicitor General has stated that the ongoing investigations are likely to be completed in two weeks. Since the petitioner may be needed during this period, his request for passport release and foreign travel will be considered later," the Court stated.
Allahbadia had approached the Supreme Court after facing multiple criminal cases across India over controversial remarks made on India’s Got Latent.
Earlier, on March 3, the Court had allowed him to resume his podcast on the condition that he maintained public decency.
His lawyer, Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, argued that the travel ban was affecting his livelihood, as he needed to interview personalities for his show. However, the Court refused to intervene at this stage, stating that allowing him to travel could delay the investigation.
"If we allow you to travel, the investigation may also get deferred," the bench remarked.
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The Supreme Court had previously condemned the statements made in the controversial episode, calling them "perverted" and "offensive to society, parents, and women." While the Court had initially barred Allahbadia from hosting any shows, it later permitted him to resume his podcast with a warning to maintain decency.
The Court also indicated that it might consider broader regulations to prevent similar instances of obscene content being broadcast in the future.
Allahbadia recently appeared before the National Commission for Women on March 6 and also joined the investigation in Guwahati, where one of the cases against him is registered.
Meanwhile, fellow YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani has also approached the Supreme Court seeking to quash an FIR filed against him in Assam or transfer the case to Mumbai.
The Supreme Court will hear the matter again on April 21.
