Maharashtra Cyber Cell has issued a second summons to YouTuber and comedian Samay Raina regarding the “India’s Got Latent” show. He has been asked to appear for questioning and record his statement on March 19. Raina was initially summoned on Monday but failed to appear.
Raina had earlier requested to provide his statement via videoconferencing from the United States, citing prior commitments preventing his return to India before March 17. The Cyber Cell rejected his request, insisting that his statement must be recorded in person.
The controversy erupted after podcast host Ranveer Allahbadia asked a contestant an inappropriate question, sparking outrage. In response to the backlash, Raina took to Instagram, saying, “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.”
Multiple FIRs have been registered in Maharashtra and Assam against Raina, Allahbadia, and others linked to the show, accusing them of promoting obscenity.
The Supreme Court took a strong stance against the content, with Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh calling Allahbadia’s remarks “dirty and perverted.” They stressed that such behavior must be condemned. The Court granted him interim protection from arrest, conditional upon his cooperation with investigations. Additional conditions required him to surrender his passport and obtain permission before leaving the country.
Formal complaints have also been filed against comedian Apoorva Makhija and the show’s organizers. The investigation continues.