Mumbai Police on the hunt for Ranveer Allahbadia—But he says he’s not hiding: Read full statement

YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia has addressed the backlash following his controversial remarks on comedian Samay Raina’s now-deleted YouTube show, India’s Got Latent. As Mumbai police struggle to reach him, he took to Instagram to express his remorse and assure full cooperation with authorities.

Apology and Public Statement

In a statement posted on Instagram, Allahbadia admitted to his mistake, writing, "My remark about parents was insensitive and disrespectful. It is my moral responsibility to do better and I am genuinely sorry." He further reassured the public and authorities that he was not evading the situation. "My team and I are cooperating with the police and all other authorities. I will follow due process and be available to all agencies."

Fear Amid Threats and Security Concerns

Amidst the growing controversy, Allahbadia revealed that he has been receiving death threats. He wrote, "I'm watching death threats pour in from people saying that they want to kill me and hurt my family. People have invaded my mother’s clinic posing as patients. I’m feeling scared and I don’t know what to do. But I’m not running away. I have full faith in the police and the judicial system of India."

Mumbai Police Unable to Reach Allahbadia

On Saturday, reports surfaced that Mumbai police had been unable to trace Allahbadia as his phone remained switched off. Officials stated that they had attempted to contact him but received no response. Authorities also visited his Versova flat but found it locked.

Meanwhile, comedian Samay Raina, who hosted the controversial episode, has been summoned for questioning. His lawyer informed police that Raina is currently in the United States and requested an extension. Authorities have given him until 10 March to appear before them.

Raina, on whose show Allahbadia made the comment, has already deleted all the 18 episodes of the show from YouTube, saying it was too much to handle for him. He also said he will cooperate with authorities.

Investigation Expands, Statements Recorded

The Mumbai police have already recorded statements from eight individuals, including social media personalities Apoorva Mukhija and Ashish Chanchlani, as well as Allahbadia’s manager. Despite multiple complaints, no formal FIR has been filed.

Separately, Maharashtra Cyber officials have launched their own probe and summoned at least 50 individuals linked to the show. Actor and television personality Raghu Ram, who was on the show’s judging panel, recorded his statement on Thursday.

The Controversy Unfolds

The backlash stems from Allahbadia’s remarks on India’s Got Latent, a YouTube show hosted by comedian Samay Raina. The episode in question sparked outrage due to its content, with Allahbadia’s statements about parents and sex drawing widespread criticism. The video was quickly taken down, but not before clips circulated widely online, prompting complaints from members of the public and political figures.

A BJP functionary filed a complaint, leading to a wider probe by law enforcement. Since then, authorities have intensified their investigation, summoning multiple individuals involved with the show.

With police efforts ongoing and public scrutiny mounting, the situation remains fluid. Investigators are expected to continue questioning those involved while tracking Allahbadia’s whereabouts. As the case unfolds, it raises broader questions about accountability in digital content and the impact of controversial statements in the public domain.

The issue also found a mention in the Parliament and at a meeting of the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, members from different parties have voiced concern over Allahbadia's comment and called for stringent measures to punish him and to ensure that such an incident does not recur.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also asked Allahbadia, Raina, and other panellists Mukhija, Jaspreet Singh, and Ashish Chanchlani, as well as the show's producers Tushar Poojari and Saurabh Bothra to appear before it on February 17 in New Delhi.