Maharashtra Cyber Cell Denies Samay Raina’s Video Statement Request in ‘India’s Got Latent’ Row

GG News Bureau
Mumba, 17th Feb. The Maharashtra Cyber Cell has turned down YouTuber Samay Raina’s request to record his statement via video-conferencing in the ongoing controversy surrounding the show India’s Got Latent. Raina, currently in the United States, had sought permission to record his statement remotely, citing prior commitments preventing his return to India before March 17.

However, the Maharashtra Cyber Cell has insisted that Raina appear in person to record his statement on February 18.

The controversy erupted over comments made by podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia during an episode of the show. Allahbadia posed a controversial question to a contestant: “Would you rather watch your parents… or join in once and stop it forever?” The remarks sparked widespread backlash, leading to formal complaints against Allahbadia, social media influencer Apoorva Makhija, comedian Samay Raina, and the show’s organizers.

In response to the backlash, Raina took to Instagram to express regret and clarify that his intent was purely to entertain. He announced that all videos from India’s Got Latent had been removed from his channel. “My only objective was to make people laugh and have a good time,” Raina wrote, assuring his cooperation with authorities.

Amid the ongoing investigation, Raina and Allahbadia approached the Supreme Court to request the clubbing of multiple FIRs filed against them across India for the offensive comments. Senior advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, representing Allahbadia, mentioned the matter before Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, seeking an urgent hearing. The case is yet to be assigned a hearing date.

The controversy has led to FIRs being lodged in multiple states, including Maharashtra and Assam. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that an FIR had been filed against Raina, Allahbadia, and other influencers for promoting obscenity and vulgar content on the show.