Comedian Pranit More, Others Booked for Obscene Content

The Maharashtra Cyber police have registered a case against stand-up comedian Pranit More, web developer Himanshu Jangra and others for allegedly circulating “obscene and objectionable” content on social media, according to news agency PTI. The accused have been summoned for questioning, an official said on Thursday. More and Jangra are at the centre of a controversy over remarks made during a comedy show in Gurgaon that allegedly glorified coercion and non-consensual conduct towards a woman. The case was registered at the Nodal Cyber Police Station after a preliminary probe into viral video clips from the show hosted by More, the official said. The videos were found to contain offensive remarks on women, consent, and deceased persons that violate public decency, he added. "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," the official said. Another clip from the same show featured Dr Sejal Pawar making derogatory comments regarding medical cadavers and deceased male bodies used for educational purposes, which authorities flagged as highly disrespectful to the dignity of the deceased, he said. Officials said the controversial clips were shared on platforms like YouTube and Instagram to increase viewership. The case has been registered against More, Jangra, Pawar and other unidentified individuals under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. Summons have been issued to Pranit More, Himanshu Jangra and Dr Sejal Pawar, directing them to appear before Maharashtra Cyber to record their statements. Maharashtra Cyber has also issued an advisory urging content creators, digital influencers and internet users to comply with legal frameworks while producing online content. Police have warned citizens against sharing the videos, stating that downloading or circulating obscene material could attract strict legal action under IT and criminal laws. The controversy began after Jangra recounted during the show an incident from a date when he spent Rs 370 on a plate of chicken biryani. When the woman asked to be dropped home, he said he demanded sexual favours in return for the money spent. More was seen laughing at the remark. More and Jangra and Sejal later apologised after facing backlash on social media.