The Maharashtra Cyber police have registered a case against stand-up comedian Pranit More, web developer Himanshu Jangra, and others for allegedly disseminating obscene and objectionable content on social media. Authorities have summoned them for an inquiry, an official confirmed on Thursday.
Details of the Case
The case was registered at the Nodal Cyber Police Station in Mumbai following a preliminary probe into viral video clips from a comedy show hosted by More in Gurugram. The videos contained offensive remarks concerning women, consent, and deceased persons, violating public decency standards.
Offensive Remarks Highlighted
One viral clip featured Jangra suggesting entitlement to physical intimacy in exchange for money spent during a date, which portrayed women in a derogatory manner and trivialized consent. Another clip showed Dr. Sejal Pawar making derogatory comments about medical cadavers and deceased male bodies used for educational purposes, deemed highly disrespectful.
The controversial clips were published on platforms like YouTube and Instagram to boost viewership, the official added.
Legal Action
The case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. Summons have been issued to More, Jangra, and Pawar to appear before Maharashtra Cyber for an enquiry and to record their formal statements.
Maharashtra Cyber has also issued an advisory urging content creators, digital influencers, and internet users to comply with legal frameworks while producing online material. Authorities warned citizens against sharing the controversial material, noting that downloading or disseminating obscene content could invite strict legal action under IT and criminal laws.
Background of Controversy
The controversy began when Jangra recounted during the show a date where he spent Rs 370 on a plate of chicken biryani. When the woman asked him to drop her home, Jangra said he sought sexual favors for the money spent on the biryani. More was seen laughing at Jangra's comment. Both later apologized after facing backlash on social media, and Jangra deactivated his Instagram account.
Earlier, the National Commission for Women (NCW) took suo motu cognizance of media reports and a viral video of the show, summoning More and Jangra. NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the Haryana Director General of Police, seeking immediate action and a report within seven days.
