The Supreme Court directed on Monday that the passport of YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, booked for making allegedly objectionable remarks about parental sex during a show, be returned to him to enable him to travel abroad.
“We permit the petitioner to apply to Maharashtra Cyber Crime Bureau for release of his passport. On such application…, let passport be returned on such reasonable terms and conditions to be stated. Passport is ordered to be returned to enable him to travel abroad,” said a bench of Justices Surya Kand and N K Singh.
The court was earlier informed that the investigation against Allahbadia, also known as BeerBiceps, in connection with FIRs lodged in Assam and Maharashtra over the allegedly objectionable remarks made during an episode of India’s Got Latent show was complete.
While granting him interim protection from arrest in the case, the Supreme Court had asked him to deposit his passport with the investigating officer at the Thane police station.
Subsequently, Allahbadia approached the court again seeking the release of his passport, saying that he had to travel abroad for his shows, which were his source of livelihood.
Senior advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, who appeared for him, also urged the court to club the FIRs registered in Thane and Assam.
Justice Surya Kant, however, pointed out that the Assam FIR had some more allegations. “Why a person perceived to be a victim in Assam be asked to come to Maharashtra?” Justice Kant asked.
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The bench eventually agreed to consider the prayer for clubbing FIRs on the next hearing date.
Besides Allahbadia, comedians Samay Raina, Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh and Apoorva Makhija are also named in the FIRs registered over the controversial remarks.
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