- Thursday, February 13, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
YouTuber and comedian Samay Raina has been summoned for the second time this week by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell in connection with the controversy surrounding podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia’s comments on his show “India’s Got Latent.” However, Raina, currently in the US, has informed authorities that he will return on March 17 and has sought more time to respond to the summons.
The controversy erupted after a clip from the show went viral, featuring Allahbadia posing an inappropriate question to a contestant: “Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once and stop it forever?” The comment sparked outrage, leading to widespread debate over the limits of free speech and decency in digital content.
Although Allahbadia issued a public apology, calling his remark a “lapse in judgment,” the backlash was far from over. In response, Raina deleted all episodes of India’s Got Latent from YouTube and stated his willingness to cooperate with the investigation. However, authorities remain firm on their probe, with several individuals connected to the show under scrutiny.
Mumbai Police have already recorded statements from seven individuals, including social media influencer Apoorva Makhija, and officials confirmed that Allahbadia is expected to appear before them soon. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Cyber Department has issued summons to over 40 individuals, including past participants and judges of the show, requiring them to join the ongoing investigation.
The case has extended beyond Maharashtra, with Guwahati Police also filing a case against Allahbadia and four others. A team has been dispatched to Mumbai to investigate further.
The controversy has even reached Parliament, where Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske raised concerns over unregulated social media content and called for stricter laws. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while refraining from commenting directly on the clip, addressed the broader issue of responsible speech. “Everyone has the freedom of speech, but our freedom ends when we encroach upon the freedom of others… In our society, we have made some rules. It is absolutely wrong if someone violates them. Action should be taken against them,” he stated.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also intervened, summoning Allahbadia, Raina, Makhija, stand-up comedians Jaspreet Singh and Ashish Chanchlani, as well as the show’s producers, Tushar Poojari and Saurabh Bothra. They have been asked to appear before the commission on February 17 in New Delhi.
As authorities continue their investigation, the case raises important questions about content moderation, ethical boundaries in entertainment, and the accountability of social media influencers.
