Rs 370 biryani, cadaver jibes: Maharashtra Cyber Police book comedian Pranit More, others
Mumbai: Comedian Pranit More, web developer Himanshu Jangra and several others are facing legal action by the Maharashtra Cyber police for allegedly circulating "obscene and objectionable" material on social media platforms. According to an official statement on Thursday, the individuals involved have been summoned for a formal inquiry.
The legal action follows a massive backlash over video clips from a comedy show hosted by More in Gurugram. The viral footage sparked outrage for allegedly endorsing non-consensual behaviour and the coercion of women. A preliminary investigation by the Nodal Cyber Police Station confirmed that the content breached public decency by targeting women, consent and the deceased.
Detailing the objectionable parts, a cyber police official stated, "One of the viral clips featured remarks by Himanshu Jangra suggesting an entitlement to physical intimacy in exchange for money spent during a date, which portrayed women in a derogatory manner and trivialised consent."
In addition, the probe flagged a separate segment from the show involving Dr Sejal Pawar, who made disparaging comments regarding medical cadavers and deceased male bodies utilised in educational settings. Authorities deemed these statements profoundly disrespectful to the dignity of the dead.
The investigation revealed that these controversial clips were uploaded to YouTube and Instagram primarily to increase digital viewership. Consequently, a case has been filed against More, Jangra, Pawar and other unidentified associates under the Information Technology Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Summons have officially been delivered to the trio, ordering them to present themselves before the Maharashtra Cyber team to record their statements.
In light of the incident, Maharashtra Cyber released a public advisory directing digital influencers, content creators and internet users to stay strictly within legal boundaries when publishing online material. The police explicitly cautioned the public against distributing or downloading the viral clips, warning that sharing obscene media could result in strict criminal prosecution.
The public outcry originated from a segment where Jangra described a date during which he bought a plate of chicken biryani for Rs 370. He claimed that when the woman requested a lift home, he demanded sexual favours as compensation for the money spent on the meal. More was captured laughing at the statement in the video. Following the intense social media backlash, both More and Jangra issued apologies, and Jangra subsequently deactivated his Instagram profile.
Concurrently, the National Commission for Women (NCW) intervened by taking suo motu cognisance of the viral footage and issuing summons to both More and Jangra. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has also communicated with the Haryana Director General of Police, requesting a swift investigation and a detailed report within a week.
PTI