The Supreme Court, while hearing a petition filed by YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, took note of fellow YouTuber and comedian Samay Raina’s remarks about the 'India's Got Latent' controversy during his live stand-up show in Canada. Both content creators had come under intense scrutiny after a video from Raina’s YouTube show went viral, sparking widespread outrage and leading to multiple FIRs being lodged against them in various cities. The controversy had escalated significantly, drawing criticism from different sections of society and prompting legal intervention.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court refrained from explicitly naming Samay Raina but made pointed remarks about how “one of them” had gone to Canada and spoken about the issue. Justice Surya Kant expressed concern over young content creators believing they could act without consequence, stating, “These youngsters are being oversmart... they think we are an outdated generation probably… One of them has gone to Canada and spoken there… They don’t know the jurisdiction which this Court enjoys and what probably can be done… We don’t want to because they are young, we understand.” The remarks hinted at the Court’s awareness of how the controversy had been addressed in international spaces and subtly suggested that the reach of Indian legal jurisdiction should not be underestimated.
In February, Samay Raina, making his first public performance since the 'India’s Got Latent' controversy erupted, humorously referenced the issue during his stand-up show in Edmonton, Canada. Addressing the audience, he jokingly thanked them for "paying" his legal fees through ticket purchases. A fan named Shubham Dutta shared his experience on Facebook, noting that although Raina seemed visibly stressed about the controversy, he still managed to engage the audience with his signature comedic style.
During his performance, Raina cleverly played on the situation, cautioning his audience about the controversy while making a reference to Ranveer Allahbadia, who is widely known as BeerBiceps. He remarked, "Iss show pe bahut mauka ayega, jahan aapko lag sakta hai ki main bahot funny kuch bol sakta hoon, par tab BeerBiceps ko yaad kar lena bhai (There will be many moments in this show where you might think I could say something really funny, but in those moments, just remember BeerBiceps, brother)." The statement was a clear nod to the caution required in handling sensitive topics in public forums. He concluded his set with a wordplay on his name, stating, "Shayad samay kharab chal raha hai mera, par yaad rakhna doston, main samay hoon (Maybe my time is bad right now, but remember, my friends—I am time)," which was met with applause from the audience.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ranveer Allahbadia, allowing him to resume hosting his popular podcast, The Ranveer Show, which had previously been put on hold due to legal restrictions. However, the Court imposed a crucial condition that his content must strictly adhere to moral and decency standards, ensuring that it remains appropriate for viewers of all age groups. The Court’s order stated, "As of now, petitioners were restrained from airing any shows. Subject to the petitioner furnishing an undertaking that his podcast shows will maintain the desired standards of morality and decency so that viewers of any age group can watch, the petitioner is permitted to resume The Ranveer Show." This decision marked a partial relief for Allahbadia, who had been facing legal scrutiny over his content.
Previously, the Court had granted Allahbadia interim protection from arrest, but under strict conditions, including a temporary restriction on his participation in any shows. The case highlights the increasing legal oversight over digital content and the responsibilities that come with having a significant online influence.
