Supreme Court Seeks Replies On Pranit More Plea Over Rs 370 Biryani Remark

The Supreme Court on Monday sought responses from the Centre, Maharashtra and Haryana on comedian Pranit More’s plea to club FIRs filed over the controversial “Rs 370 biryani” remark allegedly made during a show in Gurgaon. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana passed the order.

More’s counsel told the court that the comedian had apologised on all forums, including before the National Commission for Women. The court is hearing the plea on whether the Gurgaon FIR should be clubbed with the Bombay FIR.

The matter stems from a remark made during More’s show by web developer Himanshu Jangra, which later triggered social media outrage, police cases and job loss for Jangra. The controversy also drew criticism of More because he was seen laughing at the comment instead of objecting to it.

Apology And Plea

More’s lawyer pressed for one relief. The plea sought clubbing of the Gurgaon FIR with the Bombay FIR so that one trial could proceed instead of separate cases.

“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 told the court.

The counsel also told the bench: “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.”

Employer Fires Developer

The fallout reached Jangra’s workplace. A Gurgaon-based firm, Starvik Design, sacked its employee and web developer Himanshu Jangra after the clip spread widely online.

Jangra went viral for making the “Rs 370 biryani” remark during More’s show. The clip sparked broad outrage on social media and led his employer to fire him.

Vivek Vishwakarma, the founder of Starvik Design, confirmed the dismissal in a video posted on X.

How Controversy Began

The row began on stage. During the show, Jangra recounted a date in which he spent Rs 370 on a plate of chicken biryani.

He then said that when the woman asked him to drop her home, he sought sexual favours in return for the money he had spent on the biryani. More was seen laughing at the comment, which intensified the backlash against him as the host.

After the clip went viral, social media users called the remark insensitive and derogatory towards women. Many also criticised More for not objecting and for laughing it off instead.

Both men later apologised. Jangra also deactivated his Instagram account after the backlash spread online.