Supreme Court slaps ₹3 lakh fine on comedians over disability remarks.

Samay Raina and four others are penalized for failing to honour commitments in the SMA case

The Supreme Court has imposed a fine of ₹3 lakh each on comedians Samay Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Ghai, Sonali Thakkar, and Nishant Tanwar, holding them accountable for failing to honor assurances made in the disability-joke controversy. The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, observed that Raina had “taken the court for a ride” by submitting false statements and disregarding prior commitments.

The case stems from two episodes of India’s Got Latent streamed in 2025, where the comedians made derogatory remarks targeting persons with disabilities, including patients suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and visually impaired individuals. The offensive content triggered widespread outrage, prompting petitions from content creators and the Cure SMA Foundation, which eventually led to Supreme Court intervention.

During the latest hearing, the court expressed dissatisfaction with Raina’s conduct, noting that despite earlier promises, he had not engaged with the SMA Foundation or taken steps to support affected individuals. Amicus curiae Aparajita Singh criticized Raina’s public image, questioning his credibility as a “youth icon.” The Chief Justice also dismissed Raina’s delayed response to the court, remarking, “Throw it away,” in frustration.

The bench directed the comedians not only to pay the fine within two weeks but also to issue public apologies, file compliance affidavits, and organize two special comedy shows every month to raise funds for children battling SMA. The court warned that failure to comply could result in a tenfold increase in the penalty, raising it to ₹30 lakh per person.

Beyond the immediate penalties, the Chief Justice urged lawmakers to consider stronger legal safeguards against disability-based ridicule. He suggested a law modeled on the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which would make derogatory jokes targeting persons with disabilities a punishable offence. The Solicitor General agreed that humour must never come at the expense of human dignity.

In October 2025, the comedians issued a joint apology, expressing regret for the pain caused and pledging to be more mindful in the future. However, the court’s latest ruling underscores its dissatisfaction with their follow-through, emphasizing accountability and respect for marginalized communities.

This judgment marks a significant step in reinforcing the principle that freedom of expression cannot be misused to demean vulnerable groups, and that public figures must uphold their responsibility to society.