Since its launch in 2018, the OTT platform Ullu has carved out a niche for bold adult content in Indian streaming. However, such programming has also brought intense legal scrutiny. Over the past few years—and notably in 2025—Ullu has faced several major investigations, summons, and bans tied to accusations of obscenity, exploitative content, and violations of Indian digital media laws.
In this article, we catalog the key legal battles Ullu has faced: from government interventions and platform bans to specific show controversies and regulatory complaints. Each case summary provides context, actions taken, involved laws, and broader implications for OTT regulation in India.
1. NCW Summons Over “House Arrest” (May 2025)
The Incident
Ullu’s reality show House Arrest, hosted by actor Ajaz Khan, came under fire after a viral clip showing Khan pressuring female participants into demonstrating sex positions—despite visible discomfort and refusal. The content was widely condemned as coercive and exploitative.
Legal Response
In early May 2025, the National Commission for Women (NCW) took suo motu cognizance, issuing notices to both Ullu CEO Vibhu Agarwal and Ajaz Khan, ordering them to appear before the Commission on May 9.
Following backlash, Ullu removed the show entirely from its app and website. Public and regulatory pressure intensified as prominent figures like Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi called for wider OTT regulation.
Legal Implications
The NCW linked the case to violations under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, emphasizing coercion and violation of women’s dignity.
Outcome
The show was pulled. A first information report (FIR) was reportedly filed. The NCW statement highlighted potential criminal liability if allegations were upheld.
2. NCPCR Complaint Alleging Obscene Content for Minors (March 2024)
The Concern
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) filed a complaint alleging that Ullu distributed objectionable material—including depictions involving minors—and lacked adequate age verification. It flagged violations under the POCSO Act, 2012 and CPCR Act.
Legal Context
The platform appeared to flout legal safeguards by exposing school-age viewers to sexualized content without KYC-based age checks.
Actions and Warnings
The NCPCR urged the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to initiate action. Tech giants like Google were also warned—to review compliance of Ullu’s content and accessibility.
Outcome
While no public legal case document followed, the complaint triggered further scrutiny from self-regulatory bodies and app stores, ultimately leading to content downgrades on platforms like Google.
3. Self-Regulatory Body Order via DPCGC (June 2023)
Incident Summary
The Digital Publishers Content Grievance Committee (DPCGC)—part of the IT Rules 2021 framework—reviewed viewer complaints and addressed Ullu’s adult content. The committee found Ullu’s catalog heavily reliant on sexual narratives with limited storyline or social value.
Finding
The DPCGC ruled that Ullu’s offerings served no meaningful narrative purpose, effectively confirming its focus on depicting sexual content for arousal.
Outcome
Ullu was asked to remove several shows or edit them for compliance within 15 days. The incident marked the platform’s first official regulatory rebuke under the new code.
4. Government-Wide OTT Ban Including Ullu (July 2025)
Overview
In a sweeping move, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) ordered the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to 25 OTT platforms including Ullu, ALTT, Desiflix, and others.
Reasoning
Cited violations included Section 67/67A of IT Act, Section 294 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women Act, 1986. Officials criticized platforms for operating without social messaging or meaningful content.
Consequences
Platform-level bans disrupted subscriber access in India. Operators were ordered to cease all streaming operations and protocols were enforced to block mirror domains.
5. Content Copyright Dispute: Singardan / Singardan Short Story Adaptation
Claim
A writer sued the producers of a Ullu web series, alleging that they copied the storyline—specifically the plot about a dressing table leading to behavioral change—from his original short story.
Court Case
The Bombay High Court ruled that while ideas and themes are not protected, the specific expressions, narrative structure, characters could be copyrighted.
Implications
This case underscores that Ullu may face legal risks not only for content but also for intellectual property infringement when adapting literary works.
Broader Implications of These Cases
Consent & Ethics in Reality Formats
House Arrest controversy emphasized consent, performer benefit, and ethical line-drawing in reality-based digital programming.
Self-Regulation & Grievance Redressal
DPCGC’s action showcased functioning technology-enabled self-regulation as per IT Rules 2021.
Regulatory Risk to OTT Freedom
The 2025 platform ban reinforced that obscenity without context can override free speech protections—especially when lawmakers cite government-required content standards.
Child Protection & Age Verification
The NCPCR complaint highlighted the lack of robust age-gating mechanisms—a serious compliance gap for platforms offering mature content.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: Was Ullu prosecuted under Section 67/67A of the IT Act?
A1: While no criminal trial has been completed publicly, the platform was officially banned via government directive citing those sections, indicating serious legal exposure.
Q2: What happened to the House Arrest crew legally?
A2: The NCW summoned Ajaz Khan and CEO Vibhu Agarwal, and an FIR was reportedly filed. The show was removed immediately thereafter.
Q3: Did Ullu respond to self-regulatory rulings?
A3: Yes—the platform complied with DPCGC’s directive to remove or edit sexual content within 15 days in June 2023. This was a major compliance case under IT Rules 2021.
Q4: Are there ongoing court cases?
A4: None public beyond the NCW case. The copyright infringement case reached interim High Court review. Broader litigation may follow depending on appeals or FIR resolution.
Q5: How do these cases affect other OTT platforms?
A5: They serve as precedent: streaming platforms must balance adult themes with narrative, age‑gating, ethical consent frameworks, and follow grievance-removal procedures to avoid legal or regulatory fallout.
Conclusion
Ullu’s journey reflects the growing pains of India’s OTT regulatory landscape. From coercive content in House Arrest to child-rights concerns and copyright disputes—the platform faced legal scrutiny at nearly every level.
Key takeaways:
- Digital platforms must embed ethical consent, robust age verification, and meaningful storyline justification to avoid legal risk.
- Self-regulatory frameworks like DPCGC are active and enforceable.
- Governments can issue content bans even without court order under IT Sections 67/67A, especially when multiple laws intersect.
As Indian digital regulations continue tightening, Ullu’s legal challenges offer cautionary tales—and essential lessons—for all OTT content creators and platforms.