SC protects podcaster from arrest, wants obscenity law

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted interim protection from arrest to YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia in criminal cases lodged against him over allegedly obscene remarks made on a YouTube show, but also suggested that it would like the government to consider an anti-obscenity law for YouTube channels and social media.

- Utkarsh Anand

A bench of justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh termed Allahbadia's comments, made during an appearance on a show called India's Got Latent "perverted," "dirty," and "disgusting." While calling on the Union government to inform it about a legal regime for regulating YouTube channels and other social media content, the bench added that some of the content has become a "complete nuisance."

"If the government of India is willing to do it, very well, but we make it clear that we want something done. These YouTubers and their shows... something has to be done about them and we will do it. We are not going to leave it like it. The Union is a party to the (Allahbadia's) petition. We will want the attorney general and solicitor general to be here on the next date of hearing," justice Kant told additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, who was appearing for the Centre in a different matter before his bench.

Earlier, while shielding him from immediate custody, the bench came down hard on Allahbadia, commenting that the podcaster displayed a "perverted mind" in making the comments on the show.

"What he used at the show -his parents, his sister, his siblings, and the entire society are ashamed. There's something very dirty in his mind which he vomited during that show...

This is a condemnable behaviour and lack of responsibility. If someone thinks I have become someone very popular, I have a right to say anything I feel like...

You are taking society for granted," remarked the bench, slamming Allahbadia's comments.