In a significant development amid growing concerns over online content regulation, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued summons to actor Ajaz Khan and Ullu App CEO Vibhu Agarwal for their alleged involvement in promoting obscene and coercive content in the reality web show House Arrest, currently streaming on the Ullu platform.
The Commission has directed both individuals to appear before it on May 9, 2025, following widespread outrage over a viral video clip from the show, which raised serious concerns regarding consent, women’s dignity, and content ethics on OTT platforms.
House Arrest: Under Scrutiny for Exploitation Disguised as Entertainment
House Arrest premiered on April 11, 2025, and has since drawn comparisons to controversial reality shows like Bigg Boss and Lock Upp. However, it has positioned itself as a far more uncensored and provocative version, promising “no filters and no limits.”
The show features 12 contestants—nine women and three men—locked inside a luxury villa and participating in a series of tasks. But recent footage from the show, which went viral across social media platforms, revealed alarming scenes of women contestants being allegedly forced to perform intimate acts in front of the camera.
Many viewers have labelled the content as demeaning, exploitative, and dangerously close to soft porn, sparking fierce public debate and media attention.
NCW Steps In: “Violation of Consent Cannot Be Entertainment”
Taking suo motu cognisance, the NCW condemned the show’s content in strong terms. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Commission stated:
“NCW takes suo motu cognisance 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 and violating consent. CEO and host summoned on May 9.”
NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma emphasized the importance of regulating online platforms, especially when content involves potential violations of women’s autonomy and dignity.
OTT Platforms Under the Legal Microscope
This incident surfaces at a time when the Supreme Court of India is actively examining the unchecked spread of vulgar, obscene, and sexually explicit content on digital platforms.
In April 2025, the apex court took up a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) raising alarm over the absence of regulatory oversight on OTT and social media platforms. A bench comprising Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice A.G. Masih acknowledged the PIL’s relevance, observing that it deals with a “matter of important concern.”
The court subsequently issued notices to:
- Major streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ALT Balaji, Ullu, ALTT, Mubi, and Apple TV
- Tech giants including Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Google, and X (Twitter)
The Court sought their responses on what measures are being taken to control the broadcasting of obscene and vulgar content, especially content that can be deemed exploitative or degrading to women.
Growing Public Demand for OTT Regulation
Social media platforms have been flooded with calls for stringent action against exploitative reality shows, with many users urging the Information & Broadcasting Ministry to set clear guidelines for OTT content moderation.
Activists, women’s rights organisations, and legal experts argue that shows like House Arrest are normalising coercive behavior, especially when female contestants are pressured to engage in intimate or degrading acts for TRPs and online engagement.
The broader sentiment suggests that entertainment must not come at the cost of ethical boundaries, and there is an increasing consensus that OTT platforms cannot operate in a regulatory vacuum.
What Lies Ahead?
With the NCW’s intervention and the Supreme Court already in deliberation over this issue, the coming weeks could see:
- Policy shifts around OTT content regulation
- Potential penal action or bans on shows/platforms violating women’s rights
- Revised content guidelines from the I&B Ministry
- Possible industry-wide impact, forcing OTT platforms to rethink their content strategies
The summons issued to Ajaz Khan and Vibhu Agarwal may become a watershed moment in India’s digital entertainment landscape, marking a turning point in how consent, obscenity, and creative freedom are balanced on streaming platforms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the NCW’s action against House Arrest and the individuals behind it signals a critical moment in India’s ongoing battle to uphold ethical standards in digital content. As the lines between entertainment and exploitation blur on many OTT platforms, this incident has reignited a necessary conversation about accountability, consent, and the urgent need for stronger regulatory frameworks. With the Supreme Court also examining the broader implications of unregulated vulgarity online, the outcomes of these proceedings may very well shape the future of digital media in the country—ensuring that creative freedom does not come at the cost of human dignity and respect.
