Today, the Supreme Court directed the release of YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia’s passport, which he had deposited as part of the conditions for interim protection from arrest in cases registered against him for alleged obscenity during an episode of "India's Got Latent."

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh passed the order after being informed that investigations into the FIRs registered in Assam and Maharashtra were complete. Allahabadia was allowed to apply to the Maharashtra Cyber Crime Bureau for the release of his passport.

Apart from seeking the release of his passport, Allahabadia’s counsel, Advocate (Dr) Abhinav Chandrachud, requested the Court to club the Assam and Maharashtra FIRs, arguing that both pertained to the same show.

However, Justice Surya Kant declined, noting that the Guwahati FIR contained distinct allegations absent in the Mumbai FIR. “Why should a person who feels victimized in Assam be made to come to Maharashtra?” Justice Kant questioned. In response, Chandrachud cited the Amish Devgan case, where the Court consolidated FIRs arising from remarks made in the same broadcast. The bench said it would address this issue in the next hearing.

Earlier, Allahabadia had been directed to deposit his passport with the Investigating Officer at Thane Police Station as part of the interim protection conditions imposed by the Court.

Earlier this month, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Court that the investigation was nearing completion, prompting the Court to defer Allahabadia’s request for the release of his passport until the investigation concluded.

On the previous hearing date, the Court adjourned Allahabadia’s plea by a week, awaiting confirmation of the investigation’s completion. During the proceedings, Dr. Chandrachud also raised concerns about a press conference by Maharashtra police officials, where statements were allegedly made implying Allahabadia’s guilt. Additionally, the Cure SMA Foundation sought intervention, criticizing certain insensitive remarks made by comedian Samay Raina and others about persons with disabilities.

The controversy began when video clips from an episode of Samay Raina’s YouTube show "India's Got Latent" went viral. The clips, featuring Allahabadia (popularly known as BeerBiceps), Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Makhija, included explicit sexual references involving parents, sparking public outrage. Following the backlash, Raina publicly apologized and deleted all episodes of the show, while Allahabadia also issued a public apology acknowledging his inappropriate comments.

Subsequently, on February 10, Guwahati Police registered an FIR against five YouTubers and content creators for "promoting obscenity and engaging in sexually explicit and vulgar discussion." FIRs were also registered by the Maharashtra Cyber Department and Jaipur Police. Allahabadia and Chanchlani approached the Supreme Court seeking quashing or clubbing of the multiple FIRs filed against them.

In Allahabadia’s case, the Supreme Court granted interim protection subject to certain conditions, including a temporary restriction on airing his shows. During the hearings, Justice Kant sharply criticized the YouTuber for the language used, describing it as "dirty" and "perverted." Later, the Court lifted the restriction on airing "The Ranveer Show" after Allahabadia submitted an undertaking to maintain decency and morality in his content, ensuring it would be appropriate for viewers of all ages.

Meanwhile, Ashish Chanchlani secured interim relief from the Gauhati High Court. The Supreme Court has issued a notice on his plea seeking quashing and clubbing of FIRs across different states.