Maharashtra Cyber Cell has summoned YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia to appear on February 24 in connection with the controversy surrounding the India’s Got Latent show. Comedian Samay Raina has also been asked to appear before the cyber cell on February 18.
Raina, who is currently in the United States, had requested to record his statement via videoconferencing. He cited prior commitments and said he would not be able to return to India before March 17. The Maharashtra Cyber Cell rejected his request and directed him to appear in person.
The controversy erupted after Allahbadia, known as "BeerBiceps," made a comment in a recent episode of India’s Got Latent, featuring comedian Samay Raina, YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani, and social media influencer Apoorva Makhija.
During the show, he asked a contestant, "Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once and stop it forever?" The video was later removed from YouTube after the government issued a notice. Multiple police complaints were filed against him. Politicians cutting across party lines criticised the podcaster, who has 3.4 million followers on Instagram and 1.04 crore YouTube subscribers.
After the backlash, Allahbadia issued a public apology, calling his comments a "lapse of judgment." He said, "My comment wasn't just inappropriate, it wasn't even funny. Comedy is not my forte. I am just here to say sorry."
Raina on Wednesday responded to the controversy. "Everything that is 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. Thank you," he wrote on X.