The Supreme Court has denied the request to release YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia's passport until the investigation into his remarks in a now-deleted episode of India's Got Latent concludes.
Along with Allahbadia, fellow YouTuber Ashish Chanchalani had also filed a petition seeking the release of his passport, but the court declined to entertain his request as well, reports said.
A bench of Justices Suryakant and N. Kotishwar Singh stated that the pleas would only be considered once the probe into the episode is completed, noting that Allahbadia may be required to participate in the investigation.
Both Allahbadia and Chanchalani found themselves at the centre of a huge controversy last month after Allahbadia's joke linked to parents in the last episode of the show went viral.
The Maharashtra government has said the probe will be completed in two weeks, the court observed, scheduling the next hearing in the case for April 21. The court had earlier barred Allahbadia from leaving India without permission.
Ranveer Allahbadia and Comedian Samay Raina faced severe national backlash after a controversial statement by Allahbadia in "India's Got Latent" went viral.
The Supreme Court of India had earlier allowed Youtuber and Podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia to resume airing his shows. However, the top court warned that the show should maintain the standards of "morality and decency."
The matter was heard by a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, who allowed Allahbadia to resume his show in a decent and moral manner so that viewers of any age can watch.
"He is saying there are multiple employees, so there are families whose livelihood is in question. Subject to maintaining morality and decency, if he wants to run a programme, we can say he can," the top court observed.
Despite allowing Allahbadia to resume "The Ranveer Show," the apex court stated that freedom of speech has its limitations, observing that foul language is not humour.
"If you have to use vulgarity to make me laugh, then you are not a good comedian, the bench said.
"Fundamental rights also come with duties. The country gives guarantees to enjoy fundamental rights, but there are also some duties," the bench added.
