Samay Raina appears before Maharashtra cyber cell in Ranveer Allahbadia’s India’s Got Latent case after skipping summons

YouTuber and comedian Samay Raina on Monday appeared before the Maharashtra Cyber Cell officials in connection with the controversy over his YouTube show 'India's Got Latent' and reportedly ‘admitted his mistake’.

Raina was summoned several times by the cyber cell to record his statement in connection with the case.

The Maharashtra Cyber Police, the Mumbai Police and the Guwahati Police are investigating Ranveer Allahbadia's controversial remarks made on YouTube show 'India's Got Latent'.

The comedian ‘apologised’ for what happened and expressed regret over his remarks on the show, said reports.

Earlier this month, Ranveer Allahbadia had appeared before the Assam police to record his statement.

Why did Samay Raina appear before cyber cell?

A massive row erupted after YouTuber and Podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps, made distasteful remarks about parents and sex on the now-deleted YouTube show.

Following protests, FIRs were filed against Apoorva Makhija, YouTubers Ashish Chanchlani, Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay. The FIR was based on allegations of promoting obscenity and engaging in sexually explicit discussions during the publicly accessible YouTube show.

Following that, the Maharashtra Cyber Cell summoned Raina to appear before it on March 17. After he failed to appear, another summons was issued asking him to appear on March 19. However, Samay Raina could not record his statement as he was abroad. Upon returning to India, he finally recorded his statement before the cyber cell on Monday.

The agency had earlier recorded statements from Ranveer Allahbadia, Ashish Chanchlani, Apoorva Makhija and others.

Where did Samay Raina record his statement?

Raina recorded his statement after appearing before the probe agency at its headquarters in Mhape.

The comedian reached the office in the afternoon, recorded his statement for more than five hours, and left the premises at 6.45 pm, reported PTI quoting an official.

However, it is not yet known what exactly the comedian told the police.

Raina reschedules India tour

Recently, Raina rescheduled his India tour. Taking to his Instagram handle, he shared the news and promised refunds to people who bought tickets for the show.

"Hello guys, I am rescheduling my India tour. You all will get the refunds shortly, see you soon," Raina said.

Raina's shows in Gujarat were also reportedly cancelled in February following the outrage.

Written apologies

Appearing before the National Commission for Women (NCW), Ranveer Allahbadia and Apoorva Mukhija submitted written apologies to the NCW over their offensive remarks.

“Four people appeared before the commission — Tushar Poojari, Saurabh Bothra, Apoorva Mukhija and Ranveer Allahbadia. The commission will not accept the use of inappropriate language. Such remarks are simply not acceptable,” the NCW chief chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said.

SC allows Allahbadia to resume show

Two weeks ago, the Supreme Court granted Allahbadia interim protection from arrest over his comments. It allowed him to resume his podcast ‘The Ranveer Show’, subject to maintaining standards of decency and morality.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh allowed Allahabadia to resume the show after noting that the livelihood of around 280 employees depends on the telecast of his show.

YouTuber Ashish Chanchalani appeared before the Guwahati Crime Branch in February, where his statement was recorded.