Mumbai: The teams from both the Mumbai and Assam police on Friday, visited the residence of popular podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia in Mumbai, as part of an investigation into his controversial remarks made during a recent YouTube show 'India's Got Latent'. However, upon arrival, the police found the apartment locked, and Allahbadia was not present at the location.

 "The Mumbai police, who have initiated an inquiry in connection with Ranveer Allahbadia's controversial remarks, on Friday went to his flat in Versova area, but found it locked," an official said.

"Allahbadia had been asked to remain present at the Khar police station here on Thursday in connection with the probe into his controversial comments. But after he failed to appear, the police issued a second summons, asking him to appear on Friday, he said. The podcaster had requested the Khar police that his statement be recorded at his residence, but his request was turned down," he added.

Meanwhile, an Assam police team also wants to question Allahbadia in a case registered in Guwahati on a complaint by a resident there for alleged promotion of obscenity in a publicly accessible online show, he said.

"Accordingly, teams of the Mumbai and Assam police went to Allahbadia's flat in Versova this morning, but found it locked. Both the police teams then returned to Khar police station," the police official said. 

The controversy

The controversy surrounding 'India's Got Latent' erupted after a recent episode where Ranveer Allahbadia posed an inappropriate question to one of the contestants. This line of questioning quickly sparked outrage on social media, with many users trolling the YouTuber on X for his comments. Social media users also called for strict action against Allahbadia, Samay Raina, and Apoorva Mukhija, urging Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, to take appropriate measures. 

Ranveer Allahbadia posts an apology video

In the wake of the backlash, Ranveer Allahbadia posted an apology video on X. In the video, he admitted that the comment was a lapse in judgement and apologised for his actions. Allahbadia stated that comedy is not his forte and expressed regret for any offence caused. Despite his apology, Samay Raina and Apoorva Mukhija, who are also involved in the controversy, have yet to comment on the situation.

National Commission for Women (NCW) steps in

On Tuesday, the National Commission for Women (NCW) intervened and requested that Ranveer Allahbadia, Samay Raina, Apoorva Mukhija, Jaspreet Singh, and Ashish Chanchlani, along with the show's producers, Tushar Poojari and Saurabh Bothra, appear before the commission in New Delhi on February 17 to address the issue.

(Agency inputs)