The Mumbai Police on Friday (May 2) registered a First Information Report (FIR) against actor Ajaz Khan, producer Rajkumar Pandey, and others associated with the controversial web reality show House Arrest, streaming on the Ullu app, for promoting obscene and sexually explicit content that has sparked widespread outrage across the country.
According to an official from the Amboli police station, the FIR was filed based on a complaint lodged by Gautam Ravriya, a right-wing activist who alleged that the show promoted vulgarity and violated decency norms.
The complaint names actor Ajaz Khan, producer Rajkumar Pandey, and other members associated with Ullu Digital Private Limited, which owns the platform streaming the show.
“The show includes scenes where the host, Ajaz Khan, is seen forcing female contestants into performing intimate acts on camera and asking them sexually explicit and uncomfortable questions,” the police official said. “The complainant mentioned that he received numerous personal messages from people who were disturbed by the vulgar nature of the content.”
The FIR invokes multiple charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act.
NCW summons Ajaz Khan and Ullu CEO Vibhu Agarwal
The National Commission for Women (NCW), taking suo motu cognisance of the viral video clips from House Arrest, issued summons to Ajaz Khan and Ullu CEO Vibhu Agarwal, directing them to appear before the Commission on May 9, 2025.
Condemning the show, NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar stated, “It disregards the fundamental principles of consent, promotes sexual coercion under the guise of entertainment, and fails to follow any age-appropriate censorship guidelines.”
NCW takes suo moto cognizance of obscene content on Ullu App’s show House Arrest. Viral clips show women being coerced into intimate acts on camera. NCW slams the platform for promoting vulgarity & violating consent. CEO & host summoned on May 9. #WomenDignity #NCWActs #UlluApp
— NCW (@NCWIndia) May 2, 2025
Amid mounting criticism, Ullu App has reportedly removed the controversial episodes from both its own platform and its official YouTube channel.
Explicit content goes viral
The controversy erupted after video clips from the show began circulating on social media. In one widely shared clip, Ajaz Khan is seen instructing contestants to demonstrate sexual positions from the Kamasutra, a move viewers found extremely offensive and inappropriate.
In another disturbing video, Khan encourages female participants to remove their undergarments and other clothing. The women, in apparent competition, are seen undressing on camera. Viewers and activists alike have condemned the scenes for promoting vulgarity and endangering the mental well-being of viewers, particularly minors.
What’s stopping Indian govt from banning ULLU TV and this show House Arrest?
Ullu TV has been promoting soft porn for years now. This content is available to everyone including children because OTT content is not regulated.
Govt should take action against Ullu TV, Ajaz Khan &… pic.twitter.com/LboVq8q8Vx
— Incognito (@Incognito_qfs) May 1, 2025
Political outrage and demand for ban
Reacting to the controversy, Maharashtra BJP MLC Chitra Wagh on May 1, demanded an immediate ban on the web show House Arrest, calling it harmful to society, especially children.
“Ajaz Khan, who calls himself an actor, has created a show called House Arrest, which is nothing but the epitome of obscenity. These clips are now circulating freely on social media and are extremely vulgar,” Wagh said in a press statement. She also urged Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to take stringent action against mobile applications promoting such explicit content.
One contestant defends the show
In a contrasting development, one of the show’s female contestants, Gehena Vashishtha, defended the program and its host. “All the participants were adults and acted out of their own free will. Ajaz Khan did not force anyone to do anything,” she said, claiming that the show was being unnecessarily targeted.
Supreme court issues notice to centre and OTT platforms
The unfolding scandal coincides with the Supreme Court’s recent move to address the larger issue of sexually explicit content on OTT platforms.
On May 1, a bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih issued a notice to the Union Government, along with streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Ullu, ALTT, and social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
The petition, filed by advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, seeks a blanket ban on the dissemination of obscene and indecent content across digital platforms.
#WATCH | Delhi | On Supreme Court issues notice to Centre, OTTs and social media platforms on obscene content, Senior advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain says, “We have demanded that there should be a check and ban on obscene and indecent content floating on social media and OTTs.… pic.twitter.com/itknyM4ESv
— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2025
“We have demanded that there should be a strict check and ban on such content on social media and OTT platforms,” Jain said. “Solicitor General Tushar Mehta acknowledged the gravity of the matter and stated that the government has already introduced some regulatory measures.”
The court has taken the issue seriously and has asked the Centre to respond in due course.
Growing demand for digital content regulation
The House Arrest controversy has reignited the debate around the regulation of digital content, with activists, legal experts, and lawmakers calling for a robust framework to monitor and control explicit and potentially exploitative material on streaming platforms. With action now initiated at both the state and national levels, stakeholders await a concrete response from the authorities.
