'India’s Got Latent' row: NCW gives summons again to Ranveer Allahabadia, Samay Raina

Mumbai: Ranveer Allahabadia, Samay Raina and six others, who are embroiled in controversy for making derogatory and obscene remarks on the show India’s Got Latent show, have been issued fresh summons by the National Commission for Women (NCW) as they failed to appear before it citing multiple reasons including “safety” and “death threats".

On February 11, the NCW asked Ranveer Allahabadia, Samay Raina, Apoorva Mukhija, Jaspreet Singh, Ashish Chanchlani, Tushar Poojari, Saurabh Bothra, and Balraj Ghai to appear before it at 1200 hrs on February 17.

"The NCW recognises the reasons provided by some individuals for their absence, which include concerns about personal safety, prior foreign travel commitments, and other logistical challenges,” the NCW said in a statement.

Allahabadia has informed the Commission that he is receiving death threats and, therefore, has requested a new hearing date after three weeks. The Commission has accepted his request and rescheduled the hearing for March 6.

Mukhija has communicated that she fears for her safety and can only attend the hearing virtually. Her lawyer, in an email, mentioned that Mukhija will attend in person once the situation stabilizes. The Commission has accepted her request and rescheduled the hearing for March 6.

Raina is currently traveling in the USA for a pre-planned tour and has assured the Commission that he will make himself available for a hearing upon his return to India. The Commission has accepted his request and rescheduled the hearing for March 11.

Singh is on tour in Paris and will return to India by March 10, at which point he has assured to cooperate with the Commission’s inquiry. The Commission has accepted his request and rescheduled the hearing for March 111.

Chanchlani did not attend the hearing in person and instead, his advocate appeared on his behalf and stated that he is unwell. The Commission has accepted his request and rescheduled the hearing for March 6.

Ghai has informed the Commission that he is currently outside India and will respond once he returns. The Commission has accepted his request and rescheduled the hearing for March 11.

Poojari, the producer and Bothra have failed to respond to the notice issued by the Commission. “The Commission has strongly condemned their lack of seriousness and issued a resummon for March 6,” it said.