SC allows Allahbadia’s podcast; directs govt to seek public input on social media regulation

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday allowed podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia to air his "The Ranveer Show" subject to maintaining "morality and decency" and an undertaking that it was suitable for all ages.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh took note of Allahbadia's submission that the podcast was his only source of livelihood and that around 280 people employed by him were dependent on the show.

The bench also extended the interim protection from arrest granted to Allahbadia till further orders, while asking him to join the investigation in Guwahati.

Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and states like Maharashtra, Assam and Odisha, said the comments made on the contentious YouTube show "India's Got Latent" were not only vulgar but perverse and urged the court not to modify the condition of not airing any show.

"Let him remain silent for some time," he said.

The bench told senior advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, who was representing Allahbadia, that fundamental rights were not (served) on a platter and came with certain restrictions.

Justice Surya Kant pointed out that one of the accused (Samay Raina) in the case went to Canada and spoke on the case.

“These youngsters may think that we are outdated, but we know how to deal with them. Don’t take the court lightly,” the judge cautioned.

The bench subsequently restrained Allahbadia from speaking about anything related to the case on his show.

The Centre, in the meantime, was directed to come up with a draft regulatory mechanism on social media content, which should be put in the public domain, aside from gathering suggestions from all stakeholders.

The bench, however, refused to allow him to travel abroad for now and said his prayer would be considered once he joined the investigation in the case.

Several FIRs were lodged against Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps, for his remarks on parents and sex on comic Samay Raina's show "India's Got Latent".

On February 18, the top court granted interim protection from arrest to Allahbadia while calling his comments "vulgar" and saying he had a "dirty mind" which put society to shame.