YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia has approached the Supreme Court for urgent intervention, citing severe harassment and death threats stemming from his comments on the now-deleted YouTube reality show India’s Got Latent.
In his petition, Allahbadia reported that a bounty has been placed on his life, with threats calling for extreme violence against him, creating an atmosphere of fear. His request for an urgent hearing was declined, with the Chief Justice of India stating that “oral mentioning of the case is not permitted.”
Allahbadia asserted that since the show’s airing, he has faced an “unyielding wave of death threats and incessant harassment” from both the media and the public.
In his plea, he pointed to instances on social media where individuals have openly incited violence against him, emphasizing that such threats violate his fundamental rights and pose a serious threat to public order. He urged the court to take action to prevent further escalation of criminal acts against him.
His petition argued that authorities must recognize the dangers of neglecting such threats, as it could infringe upon the right to free speech.
Allahbadia maintained that his remarks on the show were “unscripted and spontaneous,” characterizing them as an unintentional lapse rather than a deliberate act. He stressed that he did not intend to offend or harm anyone.
Noting multiple FIRs filed against him, Allahbadia claimed these were malicious efforts to undermine his right to free speech protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
He requested the quashing of FIRs registered against him in Mumbai and Guwahati under various legal provisions, or alternatively, their consolidation, a stay on investigations, protection from arrest, and security for himself and his family.
Despite these concerns, the Supreme Court declined to grant an urgent hearing. An advocate representing Allahbadia sought immediate listing of the case, but the court stated it would follow procedural protocols.
