India’s Got Latent row: Maharashtra Cyber Cell issues second summons to Samay Raina

Samay Raina

The Maharashtra Cyber Cell has issued a second summons to comedian and YouTuber Samay Raina, directing him to appear in person on March 19, 2025, to record his statement regarding the controversial show, India’s Got Latent.

Raina was initially called to appear on March 17 but failed to comply. He had requested to give his statement via videoconference from the United States, citing prior commitments that prevented him from returning to India by the scheduled date. However, the Cyber Cell rejected his request, insisting on an in-person appearance, reported The Times Of India.

The controversy arose from a provocative exchange during the show, where co-host Ranveer Allahbadia asked a shocking question to a contestant: "Would you rather watch your parents... or join in once and stop it forever?"

This remark sparked widespread outrage, prompting Raina to address the backlash on Instagram. He stated, "Everything that has been happening has been too much for me to handle. I have removed all India’s Got Latent videos from my channel. My only objective was to make people laugh and have a good time. I will fully cooperate with all agencies to ensure their inquiries are concluded fairly."

The issue has escalated into a legal battle, with multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against Raina, Allahbadia, and others involved in the show. In Maharashtra and Assam, authorities have accused the individuals of promoting obscenity. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that the Guwahati Police registered an FIR targeting Allahbadia, Raina, and additional individuals connected to the production.

The matter reached the Supreme Court, where Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh sharply criticized Allahbadia’s comments as "dirty and perverted," emphasizing that such behavior deserves strong condemnation. Allahbadia sought the Court’s intervention to consolidate the charges against him.

The justices granted him interim protection from arrest, provided he fully complies with ongoing investigations. However, strict conditions were imposed, including the surrender of his passport and a requirement to seek permission before leaving India. Justice Kant also urged the government to address the rise of inappropriate content on platforms like YouTube, warning, "We would like you to take action. Otherwise, we will not allow this vacuum and barren area to remain misused."

The Maharashtra Women’s Commission has expressed support for the Supreme Court’s stance. Chairperson Rupali Chakankar praised the Court’s intervention in curbing the controversial program, noting that the Commission had previously urged the Mumbai Commissioner to investigate the incident.

The fallout has also affected comedian Apoorva Makhija and the show’s organizers, who now face formal complaints alongside Raina and Allahbadia.