Guwahati, February 18: The Gauhati High Court has granted interim anticipatory bail to YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani in connection with an FIR lodged against him by the Guwahati Police. The case pertains to alleged obscene and controversial remarks made during an episode of India’s Got Latent.
Court Directs Chanchlani to Appear Before Investigators
A single-judge bench of Justice Mridul Kumar Kalita directed Chanchlani to appear before the Investigating Officer within 10 days. The court has scheduled the matter for a final hearing on March 7 and has also called for the case diary.
Supreme Court Grants Interim Protection to Ranveer Allahabadia
On the same day, the Supreme Court granted interim protection from arrest to YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia, popularly known as Beer Biceps. The FIRs against him, registered in Mumbai, Guwahati, and Jaipur, allege obscenity over remarks made on the same show.
During the hearing, Justice Surya Kant criticized Allahabadia for his language, calling it “dirty” and “perverted.”
Legal Charges and Allegations
The FIR registered by Assam Police on February 12 includes multiple charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), IT Act, Cinematograph Act, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act. The sections invoked are:
- Section 79 BNS – Insulting the modesty of a woman
- Section 95 BNS – Employing a child to commit an offense
- Section 294 BNS – Sale and distribution of obscene content
- Section 296 BNS – Obscene acts and songs
- Section 67 IT Act, 2000 – Publishing or transmitting obscene material electronically
- Sections 4/7 Cinematograph Act, 1952 & Sections 4/6 Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986
The complaint was filed by Alok Boruah, who alleged that Chanchlani, along with Jaspreet Singh, Apoorva Mukhija, Ranveer Allahabadia, Samay Raina, and others, promoted obscenity and engaged in sexually explicit discussions on the show.
Chanchlani’s Defense
Before the High Court, Chanchlani’s legal team, led by Senior Counsel Diganta Das and Advocate Joyraj Borah, argued that he is innocent. They stated that the remarks in question were made by a guest panelist, Ranveer Allahabadia, and that Chanchlani had no role in editing or post-production.
His counsels further contended that Chanchlani did not endorse or contribute to the remarks in any way.
With the next hearing set for March 7, the case continues to attract attention, especially within the digital content creator community.