Cops block 2 YouTube links of Tanmay Bhat’s video but it can still be viewed

Investigators unsure how many times it has been shared or who have posted links online; police conduct inquiry on commissioner’s orders

The Mumbai police on Tuesday claimed to have got two YouTube links to standup comedian Tanmay Bhat’s snapchat video mocking Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar blocked, but it can still be viewed online as there is no count of how many times it has been shared or posted. They have also approached Facebook to block the video.

Tanmay Bhat video of a mock conversation between Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar has sparked off criticism from all political parties. (Satish Bate/HT Photo)

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The special branch of the Mumbai police is conducting an inquiry into the matter on commissioner Datta Padsalgikar’s orders after protests on Monday by several political parties, especially the MNS and the BJP, who said they would not put up with what they saw as disrespect to national icons.

Investigators said the focus currently is on getting the links to the video blocked so that it cannot be viewed on the internet. They are not sure how many times the video has been shared or who all have posted the video links.

“The inquiry has begun and after the conclusion, the special branch along with the local police station will submit a report stating if the complaint is cognizable or not,” said a police officer.

The officials are studying the voice transcript of the video to find if there was anything offensive or derogatory under various laws of the land.

Once the police are done, the report will be drafted. The special branch is not empowered to initiate prosecution and any action will be taken by the local police stations that have received complaints.

Several legal experts have said that either Mangeshkar or Tendulkar will have to file complaints if the charges are to stick against Bhat. Neither has reacted on the issue that has seen a storm on social media, with people weighing in for and against Bhat.