The Samay Raina Supreme Court fine case took a fresh turn after the Supreme Court imposed a ₹3 lakh penalty on comedian Samay Raina and four other comedians for violating earlier court directions. A three-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana observed that the comedians had “taken the court for a ride” and acted in “brazen violation” of their undertakings. The Court directed each comedian to deposit the fine within two weeks and file a compliance affidavit within 15 days. It also warned that it could increase the penalty tenfold for continued non-compliance.
Court Finds Earlier Undertakings Unfulfilled
The case arose from a petition filed by the Cure SMA Foundation over episodes of the YouTube show India’s Got Latent aired in 2025. The petition alleged that Samay Raina and other comedians mocked persons with disabilities, including blind individuals and an infant living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
The matter was heard along with related petitions involving content creators Ashish Chanchlani and Ranveer Allahbadia. Earlier, the comedians had assured the Supreme Court that they would issue public apologies, organize special shows celebrating persons with disabilities, and raise funds for SMA treatment.
However, Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh informed the Court that Samay Raina had not contacted the Cure SMA Foundation or any SMA patients. She questioned his conduct and expressed concern about his influence on young audiences.
Supreme Court Rebukes False Compliance Claims
The Bench expressed serious displeasure after finding that the comedians falsely claimed they had filed compliance affidavits. The Court found that no such affidavits were on record.
Initially, the Bench considered imposing a ₹10 lakh fine on each comedian. However, after hearing requests for leniency, it reduced the amount to ₹3 lakh each.
The Samay Raina Supreme Court fine proceedings also included submissions by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. He referred to Raina’s recent comedy show featuring a “nimbu-mirchi” prop, arguing that it indirectly mocked the pending litigation.
The Solicitor General also suggested replacing the phrase “disabled persons” with “specially abled persons” in the comedians’ affidavits.
Court Stresses Respect for Persons with Disabilities
Chief Justice Surya Kant emphasized that public figures must treat others with dignity and respect.
He observed, “In public life, the more you respect others, the more respect you earn. You don’t humiliate people.”
The Chief Justice also criticized any attempt to avoid the Court’s jurisdiction while staying abroad. He remarked, “If this is not arrogance, then we have to change the Oxford dictionary also.”
Earlier hearings in the case also saw the Court urging the Central Government to consider a separate law, similar to the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, to provide stronger legal protection against insults and discrimination directed at persons with disabilities.
