The court instructed Allahbadia to approach the Maharashtra Cyber Police Bureau to get his passport back.
NEW DELHI: 28th April: The Supreme Court of India today directed that podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia’s passport be returned after the Maharashtra government informed the court that the investigation into the controversial ‘India’s Got Latent’ remarks has been completed.
A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh relaxed the earlier restriction regarding Allahbadia’s passport after the Assam and Maharashtra governments stated that the investigation against him was now over.
The court instructed Allahbadia to approach the Maharashtra Cyber Police Bureau to get his passport back.
Following the Supreme Court’s direction, Allahbadia had already surrendered his passport at the Thane Police Station.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court continued the interim protection given to Allahbadia. While doing so, the two-judge bench, led by Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh, mentioned that Allahbadia had been cooperating well with the investigating agency.
During the hearing, the bench advised Allahbadia to move a writ petition, saying, “The relief you are seeking can be more effectively granted in a writ petition,” as stated by Justice Kant.
The court also added that the report from Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta regarding whether the investigation was fully completed or not was still awaited. However, the court noted that Allahbadia was “no longer required for further investigation.“
During the court proceedings, senior advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, appearing for Allahbadia, informed the bench that the State had to confirm whether the investigation was finished for the release of his passport.
After hearing the submissions, the court scheduled the next hearing for next Monday.
Earlier, on February 18, the Supreme Court had passed an order stating that “no coercive action” should be taken against Allahbadia for his alleged obscene remarks made on the YouTube show “India’s Got Latent.”
In a previous order dated March 3, the Supreme Court had permitted Allahbadia to restart his show but with a serious reminder. The court cautioned him that the show must follow “standards of decency & morality“ and be “suitable for viewers of all ages.“
The court allowed Allahbadia to resume his podcast after considering his plea that the show was his main source of income and that it supported “nearly 280 employees.“
Allahbadia also informed the court that he had allegedly received several death threats across different states. First, he got threats in Maharashtra, then in Assam and Jaipur, with a reward announced against him as well. The case relates to offences under the old Section 153-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with promoting hatred.
ALSO READ: YouTubers Ranveer Allahbadia and Apoorva Mukhija Apologize to NCW for Offensive Comments
Earlier, on February 11, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said,
“The Guwahati Police have registered an FIR against YouTubers and social influencers Allahabadia, Samay Raina, Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, Apoorva Makhija, and others for promoting obscenity and engaging in sexually explicit and vulgar discussions on India’s Got Latent.”
Case Title:
(1) RANVEER GAUTAM ALLAHABADIA Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS., W.P.(Crl.) No. 83/2025
(2) ASHISH ANIL CHANCHLANI Versus STATE OF GUWAHATI AND ANR., W.P.(Crl.) No. 85/2025
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