SC Allows Ranveer Allahbadia To Resume ‘The Ranveer Show’ with Standards Of ‘Decency and Morality’, Asks Union To Draft Regulatory Measures Against Vulgarity In Online Content

Today (March 03, 2025), the Supreme Court (SC) of India lifted the restriction imposed, by its February 18 order, on YouTuber and Podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia on airing any shows till further orders. It allowed him to resume his show ‘The Ranveer Show’ subject to an undertaking that he will maintain standards of ‘decency and morality’. The two-judge bench constituting Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh ordered, “Subject to the petitioner furnishing an undertaking to the effect that his podcast shows will maintain the desired standards of decency and morality so that viewers of any age group can watch, the petitioner is allowed to resume the Ranveer Show.” The SC passed this order after noting that the livelihood of around 280 people, who were employed by him, were dependent on the show, ‘The Ranveer Show’. 

During the proceedings, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, who appeared for Union, Maharashtra, and Assam Governments, submitted that he watched the episodes of ‘India’s Got Latent’ out of curiosity and said, “Forget a man and a woman, a man and a man cannot sit together and watch the show. Myself and the learned AG cannot sit together and watch the show. Your lordships will not be able to sit together and watch the show…The very fact that he chose to participate...let him remain quiet for some time.” Further, he pointed out that YouTuber Allahbadia has not complied with the condition that he should cooperate with the investigation by Assam Police. To which Advocate Dr. Abhinav Chandrachud, appearing for Allahbadia, said that his client did not receive a response related to the date and time for appearance. Considering this, Justice Kant told the SG to instruct the investigation officer to inform the same to the petitioner.

While hearing the matter, the bench also stressed on the need to regulate vulgar content in online media. Justice Kant said, “We don't want any regulatory regime which leads to censorship...but it can't be a free for all. See the quality of humor he has...humor is something the entire family can enjoy, nobody feels embarrassed. Using all filthy language is not talent.” Agreeing with the bench, SG said, “If you have to use vulgarity to make me laugh, then you are not a good comedian.” Justice Kant added, “Think what can be a very limited regulatory measure which must not lead to censorship...which must have some element of control...Something needs to be done. If somebody wants to watch something..What we propose to do...try to impress upon the union what can be done... and have a healthy debate on it with all the stakeholders.”

Lastly, the top court, in its order, said, “With regard to telecast or airing of programmes which are not acceptable in terms of the known moral standards of our society, some regulatory measures may be required. We have suggested to the learned Solicitor General of India to deliberate upon and to suggest such regulatory measures which may not impose [..] on the relevant right of free speech and expression but at the same time which are also effective to ensure the parameters of such fundamental rights as delineated in Article 19. Any draft regulatory measure in this regard can then be brought in public domain to invite suggestions from all the stakeholders before taking any legislative or judicial measure in this regard. For this purpose, we are inclined to expand the scope of these proceedings.”