Stand-up comedian Pranit More and audience member Himanshu Jangra have been booked by the Gurugram Police following a complaint by the National Commission for Women (NCW) over remarks made during a live comedy performance that triggered a nationwide debate on consent, misogyny and the limits of comedy.
The FIR was registered after the NCW took suo motu cognisance of a viral video clip from one of More’s performances held at DLF Cyber Hub in Gurugram and sought legal action against those involved. The Commission observed that the comments made during the show appeared to normalise coercive behaviour, trivialise the concept of consent and undermine the dignity of women.
The case has been registered under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, along with Sections 294, 353(3), 75(2) and 75(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. According to the police, the offences relate to the circulation of allegedly obscene material in electronic form, sexually coloured remarks, sexual harassment and statements allegedly conducive to public mischief.
The controversy arose from a crowd-work segment during a comedy show conducted by More in Gurugram. During the interaction, Jangra, a technology professional attending the event, narrated an incident involving a woman he had taken on a date. According to the account shared during the performance, he claimed to have spent Rs 370 on a chicken biryani and later expected sexual favours when the woman requested him to drop her home.
A video recording of the exchange subsequently went viral on social media platforms, attracting widespread criticism. Several users accused Jangra of promoting sexual coercion and displaying a deeply problematic attitude towards women. The criticism soon extended to More, with many alleging that he encouraged and amplified the remarks by laughing during the interaction and later sharing the clip online.
The incident sparked a broader public discussion regarding the responsibility of performers during audience interactions and whether objectionable comments made during comedy performances can be defended under the guise of entertainment. Women’s rights groups, activists and several social media users criticised the content, arguing that behaviour which trivialises consent should not be normalised.
Acting on the viral video, the NCW issued a notice to the Haryana Director General of Police and described the sequence of events, including the audience remarks, the comedian’s response and the crowd’s reaction, as an affront to the dignity and modesty of women. The Commission subsequently sought legal action against those involved.
According to Gurugram Police, the FIR was registered at DLF Phase-II Police Station after the NCW communication was received through the State police headquarters. Police officials stated that the viral video and CCTV footage from the venue have been seized as part of the investigation. Authorities are also examining the role of both accused persons, including the uploading and promotion of the video on social media platforms.
The police have issued notices to More and Jangra directing them to join the investigation and appear for questioning. Further action will be taken based on the evidence collected during the course of the probe.
The latest FIR adds to the legal proceedings already initiated in relation to the controversy. A separate FIR has also been registered by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell against More, Jangra and others concerning the same incident.
Amid mounting criticism, both More and Jangra have issued public apologies. More acknowledged that he should have intervened during the audience interaction instead of allowing the exchange to continue. He stated that he had been carried away by the crowd’s reaction and accepted that his handling of the situation reflected a lapse in judgment. He also apologised to those offended by the remarks.
Jangra likewise issued a public apology after the video attracted nationwide attention. Reports indicate that he subsequently lost his employment following the controversy. However, police officials have clarified that the apologies would not affect the criminal proceedings and that the investigation would continue in accordance with law.
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