Supreme Court FIR Review
Supreme Court seeks responses on comedian Pranit More's plea to combine FIRs
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Key Points
1
Himanshu Jangra’s employer, Gurugram-based Starvik Design, dismissed him after the remark triggered widespread backlash; Jangra later deactivated his Instagram account.
2
More reportedly responded to Jangra’s comment by calling it “peak Gurugram content,” a remark that intensified criticism that the show trivialised consent and sexual coercion.
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The Maharashtra Cyber Police FIR reportedly invoked specific provisions including Sections 75, 294, 353 and 354 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.
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The Maharashtra Cyber Police first registered an FIR, while a separate Gurugram FIR was later filed on a complaint by the National Commission for Women; the NCW also summoned both More and Jangra over the remarks concerning consent and sexual conduct.
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A separate public-interest litigation has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a broader regulatory framework for stand-up comedy, podcasts, livestreaming platforms and other user-generated content.
The Supreme Court has asked the Union government and Maharashtra and Haryana authorities to respond to comedian Pranit More's request to combine two separate FIRs against him. Times of India reported that the cases stem from a viral moment at More's Gurugram stand-up show where audience member Himanshu Jangra made a crude remark about spending Rs 370 on biryani while on a date and expecting sexual intimacy in return.
More, who did not stop Jangra or object to the comment during the performance, later called it "peak Gurugram content." Rediff noted that Maharashtra and Gurugram police each filed separate FIRs under laws covering sexual harassment, obscene content, and online material circulation. More told the court his PR team uploaded the video without his approval and that he has since apologized and deleted it.
Jangra's Remark Triggers Corporate Response and Backlash
Himanshu Jangra's comment during the show provoked swift action from his employer. IBTimes reported that Gurugram-based Starvik Design dismissed Jangra after the remark triggered widespread backlash on social media. Jangra later deactivated his Instagram account as criticism intensified over the trivialization of consent and sexual coercion in the exchange.
Multiple Criminal Cases Filed Against Comedian and Audience Member
Police and regulators launched parallel investigations into the incident. Mid-Day reported that Maharashtra Cyber Police filed the first FIR, invoking Sections 75, 294, 353, and 354 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 67 of the Information Technology Act. A second FIR was filed later in Gurugram after the National Commission for Women lodged a complaint and summoned both More and Jangra for questioning about their remarks on consent and sexual conduct.
More Claims PR Team Acted Without Authority
More's defense strategy centers on denying control over the video's publication. News18 reported that More told the Supreme Court his PR team published the controversial video without his approval. The comedian stated he has since apologized, deleted the content, and expressed willingness to face trial, but argued that both FIRs involve identical allegations and should be consolidated into a single case.
Separate Legal Challenge Seeks Regulation of Comedy and Content Platforms
The Pranit More case has sparked a broader policy debate. A separate public-interest litigation has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a regulatory framework for stand-up comedy, podcasts, livestreaming platforms, and other user-generated content. The filing suggests the incident has raised questions about platform responsibility and content moderation standards in India's rapidly growing comedy and digital entertainment sectors.
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