Maharashtra Cyber Cell Summons Samay Raina For Obscenity Charges

February 13, 2025: The ongoing investigation into alleged obscene content on the YouTube show India’s Got Latent has led to fresh summons being issued to comedian Samay Raina and prominent YouTubers. The Maharashtra Cyber Cell has issued a second summons for Raina, instructing him to appear before the investigating officer on February 17. However, Raina’s lawyer informed authorities that the comedian is currently in the United States and will return only on March 17.

Alongside Raina, the Assam Police has also served summons to YouTubers Ashish Chanchlani, Ranveer Allahbadia, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Makhija, among others, in connection with a complaint filed in Guwahati on February 10. The complaint, lodged by local resident Alok Boruah, alleges that the accused influencers were involved in promoting obscenity and engaging in sexually explicit discussions on a publicly accessible platform, which violated public decency and morality.

A senior official from the Assam Police confirmed that a team has been dispatched to Mumbai to continue their investigation into the matter. The case has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, the IT Act, 2000, the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.

In response to the controversy, Samay Raina took to Instagram to issue a statement addressing the issue. He confirmed that all related videos had been removed from his YouTube channel and emphasized his full cooperation with authorities. “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,” Raina wrote.

Similarly, Ranveer Allahbadia, one of the other accused YouTubers, had previously apologized for his remarks on the show. In a self-recorded video, Allahbadia acknowledged his “lapse in judgment” and expressed regret for his actions. “I don’t want to be the kind of person who takes that responsibility lightly. Family is the last thing that I would ever disrespect. I need to use this platform better,” Allahbadia stated.

The investigation has sparked significant attention, with the involvement of popular social media influencers raising questions about the responsibility of content creators in ensuring their material aligns with public decency and legal standards.