Abhinav Chandrachud, the lawyer representing YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia in a high-profile case, recently gained attention for defending Allahbadia’s controversial remarks on the ‘India's Got Latent’ show. Despite the scandal surrounding his client, Chandrachud’s legal expertise and principled approach have made him a focal point in the ongoing debate.
Who Is Abhinav Chandrachud? Lawyer for Ranveer Allahbadia’s Case
Chandrachud, the son of former Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, was entrusted with defending Allahbadia, who faced backlash for explicit comments made on the comedy show. According to BarandBench, Chandrachud expressed personal discomfort with the remarks but argued that they did not amount to a criminal offence. He stated, “As an officer of the court, I personally am disgusted by what the petitioner has said, but whether it rises to the level of a criminal offence is another question.”
Allahbadia, popularly known as Beer Biceps, faced multiple FIRs after a video of his jokes about Indian parents went viral. The case sparked a broader discussion about the limits of free speech and what constitutes acceptable expression.
The Supreme Court granted Allahbadia protection from arrest while condemning his remarks as ‘distorted’ and ‘unacceptable.’ Chandrachud successfully argued that multiple FIRs had been filed for the same incident, and Allahbadia had received life threats, necessitating legal safeguards. When questioned by Justice Surya Kant about defending such language, Chandrachud maintained that explicit language alone does not equate to a criminal offence.
The court also delved into the legal definition of obscenity. Chandrachud referenced past cases, explaining that a statement is obscene only if it provokes “carnal or sexually suggestive thoughts in the mind of an average, reasonable individual.” Citing a case involving actor Apoorva Arora, he clarified that Allahbadia’s comments, while offensive, did not meet this threshold.
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The Supreme Court imposed restrictions on Allahbadia, barring him from releasing further episodes of India's Got Latent and requiring him to surrender his passport to the Thane police. He was also instructed to cooperate with investigations in Maharashtra and Assam.
Abhinav Chandrachud: Education, Qualifications, and More
Abhinav Chandrachud comes from a family deeply rooted in India’s legal system. His father, DY Chandrachud, is a former Chief Justice of India (CJI), and his grandfather, YV Chandrachud, held the same position. Thus, DY Chandrachud is the longest-serving Chief Justice in the country’s history.
Chandrachud earned his undergraduate law degree from the prestigious National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bangalore and went on to complete a Master of Laws (LLM) from Stanford Law School. He currently practices at the Bombay High Court and has previously worked at Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher, a leading global law firm, and AZB & Partners, one of India’s top legal firms.
Beyond his courtroom work, Chandrachud is an accomplished author. He has written ‘Republic of Rhetoric: Free Speech and the Constitution of India’ and ‘Supreme Whispers: Conversations with Judges of the Supreme Court of India’.
Abhinav Chandrachud’s role in defending Ranveer Allahbadia has placed him at the centre of a contentious legal and public debate. His strong academic background, international experience, and thoughtful approach to the case underscore his standing as a respected figure in India’s legal community.
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