The Supreme Court on Tuesday imposed costs of Rs three lakh on comedian and YouTuber Samay Raina for failing to comply with its earlier directions requiring him to undertake programmes promoting disability awareness, holding that he had violated the assurances given to the Court in proceedings arising out of India’s Got Latent controversy.
The Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana passed the order while hearing a batch of petitions, including Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 83 of 2025, filed by Ranveer Allahbadia and others, along with proceedings initiated on the plea of the Cure SMA Foundation concerning allegedly insensitive and derogatory remarks made against persons with disabilities during the YouTube show “India’s Got Latent”.
The Court observed that Raina had failed to meaningfully comply with its earlier directions issued while granting relief in the proceedings. It noted that although he was permitted to resume his professional activities subject to certain conditions, including organising programmes to create awareness about persons with disabilities and support those suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), the material placed before the Court did not establish compliance.
Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, appearing for the Cure SMA Foundation, submitted that Raina had neither contacted the Foundation nor meaningfully involved persons with disabilities in the awareness initiatives contemplated by the Court.
She contended that merely inviting persons with disabilities to attend events did not satisfy the objective of conducting structured awareness programmes or fundraising initiatives for their benefit. She also informed the Bench that the Foundation no longer wished to associate itself with the comedian in view of his conduct.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta supported the submissions and questioned the manner in which compliance was being projected before the Court. He also referred to the opening sequence of India’s Got Latent, featuring a lemon-and-chilli totem, to contend that the show appeared to thrive on controversy rather than responsibility. The law officer further emphasised that individuals enjoying significant public influence owed a corresponding duty towards society.
Examining the records, the Bench found that the affidavit claiming compliance had not been filed despite submissions to that effect. Taking serious exception to the conduct, the Court observed that the assurances given earlier had not been honoured and that the respondent had attempted to mislead the Court regarding compliance.
The Bench held that Samay Raina had brazenly violated the Court’s earlier directions and observed that the misconduct was aggravated by the incorrect submission that a compliance affidavit had already been placed on record. Holding that such conduct undermined the sanctity of judicial proceedings and amounted to disregard of the authority of the Court, it imposed costs of Rs three lakh, directing the amount to be deposited within two weeks.
While Raina’s counsel submitted that persons with disabilities had been invited to certain programmes and photographs had been placed on record, he acknowledged that the Cure SMA Foundation had not been contacted and described the omission as unfortunate. The counsel assured the Court that appropriate corrective steps would be taken.
The Court, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the explanation and observed that despite repeatedly granting opportunities, the expected corrective measures had not been undertaken. It further remarked that freedom of speech and expression under Article 19 (1)(a) of the Constitution carried corresponding duties and responsibilities, particularly for individuals enjoying substantial public influence, and that public prominence could not become a shield against accountability.
The Bench also observed that persons with disabilities and those suffering from rare genetic disorders were entitled to dignity and equal treatment under the Constitution. It reiterated the need for greater social sensitivity towards vulnerable sections of society. The proceedings arise from earlier observations of the Court calling upon the Union Government to consider strengthening the legal framework to address derogatory remarks targeting persons with disabilities.
During the hearing, it was also brought to the Court’s notice that approximately Rs nine lakh had been raised through the shows conducted pursuant to the earlier directions. However, the petitioners clarified that they were not seeking any monetary benefit but were concerned with ensuring genuine compliance with the Court’s orders and meaningful disability awareness initiatives.
The Apex Court directed Raina to deposit the costs within two weeks and warned that failure to comply with its directions could invite more stringent consequences. The Bench indicated that if it remained dissatisfied with compliance at the next hearing, the amount of costs could be substantially enhanced.
It also directed Raina and the other comedians involved in the matter to file compliance affidavits, issue public apologies and continue organising periodic programmes highlighting the achievements and success stories of persons with disabilities to promote awareness and generate financial support for children suffering from SMA.
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