On Friday, Supreme Court quashed cases filed against popular comedian Samay Raina, alongside 4 others, for making allegedly insensitive remarks about people with disabilities, on their online show India’s got Latent.
Earlier, many people who appeared on the comedy show were booked in multiple criminal cases over allegedly obscene remarks. While the court had earlier granted them interim protection from arrest, a plea was later filed before SC by an NGO named Cure SMA India Foundation that accused Raina and three others of insensitive remarks over patients struggling with treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The plea sought regulations for broadcast of online content which they argued remains in violation of the right to life and dignity of persons with disabilities.
Later, in November 2025, the Court had directed Raina among others to organise at least two events a month to raise funds for the corpus setup for the treatment of persons with disability, besides persuading disabled peple to join them in the programs.
In the order passed today, the Court took exception to Raina’s failure to comply with these directives, ordering them to pay Rs 3 lakh each and warning of further costs in case of further flouting of directives.
At the same time, the Bench, consisting of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, appreciated the efforts made by them to organise shows for the benefit of persons with disabilities. observing, "The significant averment in the compliance affidavit which deserves appreciation is that constructive conversation have taken place between them and the petitioners. Respondents have expressed gratefulness for guidance from petitioner NGO for helping arrange their programs.”
Others who have been given relief in connection with this case are Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar alias Sonali Aditya Desai, and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar.
