SC seeks replies on Pranit More plea to club FIRs over biryani remark

The Supreme Court has sought replies on comedian Pranit More's plea to club the Gurugram and Bombay FIRs over the Rs 370 biryani remark row. The case keeps focus on accountability, online backlash and how comedians handle offensive remarks.

In Short

• More said he had apologised before all forums, including the NCW
• His counsel said he only hosted the show and deleted video promptly
• Jangra described seeking sexual favours over money spent on biryani

The Supreme Court on Monday sought responses from the Centre, the Maharashtra government and the Haryana government on a plea by comedian Pranit More to club together FIRs lodged against him over the controversial "Rs 370 biryani" remark made during a show in Gurugram.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana passed the order after More's counsel told the court that the comedian had apologised before all forums, including the National Commission for Women (NCW), and only wanted the Gurugram FIR to be clubbed with the Bombay FIR. The counsel said More was ready to face trial.

During the hearing, the counsel said, "I have apologised before all the forums, and I was just the host of the show. I understand the gravity of the situation, but the only thing I am seeking is that the Gurgaon FIR be clubbed with the Bombay FIR. I'm ready to face the trial..."

The counsel also told the court, "Even before the FIR was registered, as soon as I got to know about the gravity of the situation, I deleted the video. I was travelling at that time, and the PR team that I have, they did not take my approval before publishing the video."

The controversy began after Himanshu Jangra, a web developer, made the "Rs 370 biryani" remark during More's show. Jangra recounted a date in which he spent Rs 370 on a plate of chicken biryani.

He said that when the woman asked him to drop her home, he sought sexual favours for the money spent on the biryani. More was seen laughing at the comment. After the clip went viral, social media users called it insensitive and derogatory towards women, and some also criticised More for not objecting to the remark.

Amid the backlash, a Gurugram-based firm, Starvik Design, sacked Jangra from his job. The firm's founder, Vivek Vishwakarma, confirmed the dismissal in a video posted on X. Later, both More and Jangra apologised over the incident, while Jangra also deactivated his Instagram account.

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