Mumbai, June 14: The controversy surrounding alleged objectionable remarks made during stand-up comedian Pranit More’s show has further intensified as the Maharashtra Home Department has directed a detailed investigation into the video content available on his social media accounts and other digital platforms.

The investigation has been handed over to the Maharashtra Cyber Police. The cyber team will now examine videos from various shows of the comedian, viral video clips, and other online content as part of the probe.

Meanwhile, Pranit More issued an apology on Saturday amid mounting criticism over the viral “Rs 370 Biryani” clip, saying he deserved the backlash and requested people to give him one more chance.

In a video shared on Instagram, More said: “I wanted to talk to all of you about this, but my Instagram account was suspended. You have seen the crowd-work video circulating on social media, and I have been receiving a lot of hate because of it.”

The comedian admitted that he made a mistake by not intervening when inappropriate remarks were made during the performance.

“I feel I deserve this hate. During the crowd-work session, the man made several derogatory comments. Everyone was laughing, and I, too, got carried away. It was a lapse in judgment. I believe it was my biggest mistake. I could have taken a stand at that moment, but I did not,” he said.

More acknowledged that his reaction gave the remarks a platform and allowed the situation to escalate.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Thursday summoned More and web developer Himanshu Jangra over remarks allegedly made during a stand-up comedy show in Gurugram. The commission stated that the comments appeared to glorify sexual coercion and non-consensual conduct towards a woman.

Significantly, KEM Hospital and Seth G.S. Medical College on Saturday sent MBBS student Sejal Pawar on a 15-day forced leave on Saturday following a controversy surrounding a viral social media video in which she allegedly made objectionable remarks during the same stand-up comedy show.

New Delhi, June 14: The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Madhya Pradesh has intensified its crackdown on suspected anti-national activities, continuing raids for the second consecutive day and arresting alleged mastermind and senior agent Naeem Qureshi in a major development in the case.

The arrested accused was taken into custody from the Sarangpur area of Uttar Pradesh and later produced before the court, where he was remanded to four days of ATS custody for further interrogation.

He is accused of sharing sensitive information with foreign elements, training Bhopal resident Mohammad Faraz, and planning to send him to Afghanistan. Evidence of jihadist literature, suspicious documents, and calls to Afghanistan and Pakistan have been found.

Officials said that during the investigation, evidence, including suspected jihad-related literature, suspicious documents, and financial transaction records linked to religious institutions, was recovered.

ATS sources further stated that digital examination of the accused’s mobile phone revealed communication with numbers based in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Investigators also found evidence suggesting the accused used an application to communicate with foreign contacts.

The probe has also indicated that photographs and videos from multiple cities in Uttar Pradesh were allegedly being sent to Pakistan, raising concerns about a wider cross-state network.

Investigators suspect that the module may be spread across several states and could be operating in a sleeper-cell-like structure. Agencies are now working to identify additional members and establish the full extent of the alleged network.

A statement issued by the Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) said the operation also led to further arrests and detentions. It said ATS arrested Haji Azhar from Dhar (Madhya Pradesh) and also brought a suspect from Nuh, Haryana, to Bhopal for questioning.

The agency further alleged that a handler based in Saudi Arabia was inciting youths for jihad-related activities.

Officials said the investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are likely as agencies continue to examine digital evidence, financial trails, and communication records connected to the case.

Mumbai, June 13: Police in Maharashtra’s Dongri arrested five accused within 24 hours of registering a case involving the alleged kidnapping, wrongful confinement, assault, and humiliation of a 33-year-old man over a financial dispute.

According to the police, the victim, identified as Sachin Ranpise (33), was held captive, threatened, and subjected to severe mental and physical torture over a loan of Rs 2 lakh. The victim was allegedly denied food and water for nearly 48 hours, beaten with a belt, and paraded naked as part of the abuse.

The incident took place in Mumbai’s Dongri area, where the victim was allegedly held hostage and tortured following a dispute related to the repayment of the loan.

Police said that Sachin had borrowed Rs 2 lakh from one of the accused some time ago. Due to financial difficulties, he was unable to repay the amount on time and had requested an extension. However, the accused allegedly insisted on immediate repayment and subsequently conspired to kidnap and torture him.

According to the complaint, Sachin was forcibly confined in Room No. 104 of the MM Residency Lodge, located near Baba Dargah in Dongri, between June 8 and June 10. During this period, he was allegedly deprived of food and water. The accused reportedly assaulted him repeatedly with a leather belt, causing injuries to his head, arms and back.

The complaint further stated that the accused subjected him to extreme humiliation by stripping him naked and forcing him to walk through the lodge corridor.

On June 11, the victim managed to escape and reached the Dongri Police Station, where he narrated his ordeal. Acting on his complaint and under the guidance of senior officers, the Crime Detection Team immediately launched an investigation.

Although the initial examination of CCTV footage did not provide conclusive evidence, the police, with the help of local intelligence inputs, traced the accused and laid a trap in the Mazgaon area. All five accused were subsequently apprehended.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Abdullah Shaukat Bhusari (21), Junaid Qaymuddin Khan (26), Mohammad Saad Pathan (26), Arafat Hasham Khanani (24), and Sahil Shaikh (25).

Police have also recovered items allegedly used in the commission of the crime from the accused.

Further investigation into the case is underway.