Gauhati HC Grants Interim Bail to YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani in Obscenity Case

GG News Bureau
Guwahati, 18th Feb. The Gauhati High Court on Tuesday granted interim bail to YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani in connection with an obscenity case related to his appearance on a controversial YouTube show, ‘India’s Got Latent’. The case stems from a complaint filed in Assam, where Chanchlani, along with other personalities, was named for allegedly promoting obscenity in a publicly accessible online show.

The key accused in the case is podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, who faced criticism for his controversial comments on the show. Chanchlani, who is also named in the FIR, argued that he did not make any offensive remarks and that the allegations in the FIR were specifically aimed at the co-accused.

Justice Mridul Kumar Kalita, while hearing the anticipatory bail petition, granted Ashish Chanchlani interim relief. The court directed him to appear before the investigating officer within 10 days. Chanchlani’s counsels, Diganta Das and Joyraj Borah, contended that their client was not responsible for the comments made on the show and that the FIR targeted others.

The FIR was filed by the Guwahati Police on February 10, 2025, under multiple sections, including the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhtia (BNS), Information Technology Act, Cinematograph Act, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act.

While Chanchlani was granted interim bail, the public prosecutor opposed the relief, citing the accused’s failure to comply with a police notice. After considering both sides, the court issued the interim bail and set March 7, 2025, as the next hearing date, ordering the production of the case diary.

Additionally, the Supreme Court had earlier granted interim protection to Ranveer Allahbadia, the prime accused, over his controversial comments on the show, calling it “vulgar” and accusing him of having a “dirty mind.”

Apart from Allahbadia and Chanchlani, other individuals named in the case include comics Samay Raina, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Makhija. Several FIRs have been filed against Allahbadia due to his comments, which sparked public outrage.