YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia Secures Former CJI’s Son as Lawyer in Supreme Court Battle Over India’s Got Latent Controversy

In a high-profile legal twist, popular YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, known for his channel BeerBiceps, has enlisted the services of Abhinav Chandrachud, son of former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, to represent him in the Supreme Court. Allahbadia is seeking the consolidation and quashing of multiple FIRs filed against him in Maharashtra and Assam following controversial remarks he made on the show India’s Got Latent, which sparked nationwide outrage.

The Controversy
The controversy erupted last week when Allahbadia made a comment about parental sex during an episode of India’s Got Latent, a spin-off of the popular reality show India’s Got Talent. The remark, deemed offensive by many, led to a wave of backlash and the filing of several FIRs against Allahbadia and fellow YouTuber Samay Raina, who was also part of the episode. While Raina is reportedly in the U.S., Allahbadia, based in Mumbai, issued an unconditional public apology, expressing deep regret for his statements.

Supreme Court Proceedings
On Friday, Allahbadia moved the Supreme Court to address the legal fallout. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar heard the matter during the morning mentioning time. Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, representing Allahbadia, urged the court to expedite the hearing, citing concerns about potential coercive action by Assam police.

The bench, however, refrained from passing any immediate orders. Chief Justice Khanna orally indicated that the plea would likely be heard in the next two to three days, stating, “It will come up in two-three days.” He also declined to entertain further oral submissions, adhering to the court’s practice of avoiding detailed discussions during mentioning time.

Legal Representation
Abhinav Chandrachud, a prominent advocate and son of former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, is no stranger to high-stakes legal battles. His involvement in this case adds a layer of intrigue, given his family’s deep roots in India’s judiciary. The advocate-on-record for Allahbadia declined to share details of the writ petition, citing the “sensitive” nature of the matter.

Public Reaction and Apology
The controversy has divided public opinion, with some defending Allahbadia’s right to free speech and others condemning his remarks as inappropriate. In his apology, Allahbadia acknowledged the hurt caused by his comments and emphasized his commitment to learning from the incident. “I deeply regret my statements and unconditionally apologize to anyone who was offended. I take full responsibility for my words,” he said in a public statement.

What’s Next?
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear Allahbadia’s plea, the case raises broader questions about the boundaries of free speech, the role of social media influencers, and the legal repercussions of controversial remarks. With no arrests made so far, the outcome of the hearing could set a significant precedent for similar cases in the future.

For now, all eyes are on the Supreme Court as it weighs the merits of Allahbadia’s petition. The hearing, expected in the coming days, will determine whether the multiple FIRs against him will be quashed or if the legal battle will continue.