Case Title: Ranveer Gautam Allahabadia Vs Union of India & Others
Date of Order: February 18, 2025
Case No.: Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 83/2025
Court: Supreme Court of India
Judges: Hon'ble Justice Surya Kant & Hon'ble Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh
Facts of the Case:
Ranveer Gautam Allahabadia, a well-known media personality, filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court seeking protection from arrest in multiple FIRs registered against him in Maharashtra, Assam, and Rajasthan. The complaints stem from content aired on his show "India’s Got Latent", which allegedly contained obscene and offensive material.
The charges against him were filed under:
Sections 79, 196, 296, and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS)
Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000
Sections 4 & 7 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952
Sections 4 & 6 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986
Allahabadia argued that the multiple FIRs were malicious and politically motivated, violating his freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Issues:
1. Whether the content aired in the show amounted to obscenity and violated any legal provisions?
2. Whether multiple FIRs based on the same content were justified or constituted harassment?
3. Whether the petitioner should be granted interim protection from arrest?
4. Whether restrictions on further broadcasting were legally valid?
Reasoning and Analysis of the Judges:
1. Protection from Arrest:
The court acknowledged that multiple FIRs based on identical allegations could amount to harassment.
It granted interim protection from arrest in all current and any future FIRs regarding the same incident.
2. Balancing Free Speech and Law:
The court noted that freedom of speech is not absolute and must be exercised within legal bounds.
However, criminal law should not be misused to target individuals selectively.
3. Restrictions on Further Content:
To prevent further controversy, the court barred Allahabadia from airing any content on YouTube or other platforms until further notice.
4. Conditions for Cooperation:
Allahabadia was directed to cooperate with the investigation and was not allowed to have legal counsel present during police questioning.
He was required to surrender his passport and seek court permission before leaving India.
Decision of the Judges:
1. Interim protection from arrest was granted in all existing FIRs and any future ones based on the same allegations.
2. No new FIRs related to the "India’s Got Latent" episode could be registered.
3. Allahabadia was prohibited from airing any new content until further court orders.
4. He was required to surrender his passport and cooperate with the investigation.
