The National Commission for Women (NCW) issued summons to actor Ajaz Khan and Vibhu Agarwal, CEO of Ullu App, following the circulation of a disturbing clip from the streaming platform's reality show House Arrest. The Commission has taken suo moto cognizance of the viral video that depicts coercive and explicit behaviour towards female participants under the guise of on-screen entertainment.
The now-viral clip shows the show's host, Ajaz Khan, allegedly pressuring female contestants to enact sex positions with male co-contestants and undress on camera, despite their visible discomfort and explicit refusal.
The scenes have drawn severe backlash online and sparked a nationwide conversation about consent, ethics, and the exploitation of women.
In an official statement, the NCW condemned the content, stating it "blatantly violates the dignity of women, normalises coercion, and dangerously blurs the line between entertainment and abuse." The Commission added that such vulgar portrayals not only objectify women but also flout basic standards of decency and consent.
"The nature of these acts, if proven true, may attract serious penal provisions under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Information Technology Act, 2000," the Commission noted. Notices have been served to both Khan and Agarwal to appear before the Commission on May 9, 2025.
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar criticised the growing trend of misogynistic content on social media and reiterated that "any form of coercion or objectification of women in the name of content creation will not be tolerated." She urged digital platforms to adopt stringent content guidelines that uphold legal and ethical standards, especially when it comes to the portrayal of women.
This isn’t the first time the Commission has intervened in cases of inappropriate digital content. Earlier, it had pulled up YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia over remarks and content deemed disrespectful to women after his appearance on comedian Samay Raina's show India's Got Latent. The NCW stated that media personalities and platforms must be held accountable for their influence and the narratives they promote.
As investigations continue, the NCW has assured the public that it will remain vigilant and take firm action against any content that undermines women’s dignity, asserting that "entertainment must never come at the cost of consent and human respect."
