Supreme Court closes Latent case against Samay Raina, four others over disability remarks

NEW DELHI: The case has reached its punchline, but the larger conversation is far from over.

The Supreme Court of India on Friday quashed the criminal proceedings against stand-up comedian Samay Raina and four others over alleged insensitive remarks concerning persons with disabilities on the comedy show India’s Got Latent.

The relief was granted to Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar.

A Bench comprising chief justice of India Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana took note of the steps undertaken by the five respondents to comply with its earlier directions.

The Bench observed that the respondents had made genuine efforts to move in a positive direction, including organising programmes, creating awareness and raising funds for the welfare of persons with disabilities.

The Court also took note of constructive discussions between the respondents and Cure SMA India Foundation, which had approached the Court over the remarks.

The respondents had earlier been directed to organise at least two events every month to raise funds for a corpus supporting the treatment of persons with disabilities. They were also asked to involve persons with disabilities in their programmes.

At Friday’s hearing, the Court was informed that the respondents had organised a chess tournament for persons with disabilities in Pune in March and had scheduled four more fundraising shows. They also expressed their willingness to invite people with Spinal Muscular Atrophy to their programmes and provide financial assistance.

The respondents said Rs 12.5 crore had already been received from their shows and could be donated towards the welfare of persons with disabilities. They also agreed to remain in contact with the petitioner foundation for guidance.

Taking these steps into account, the Court concluded that the respondents had demonstrated meaningful compliance with its earlier directions and closed the criminal proceedings against the five.

While the five respondents have secured relief, the Supreme Court has not closed the book on the broader issue.

The Bench will continue considering suggestions from persons with disabilities on safeguards for online content and possible measures to ensure stronger checks on material that could affect their dignity and rights.

The case stems from an episode of India’s Got Latent recorded at Khar Habitat in Mumbai on 14 November 2024. The episode subsequently triggered a wider controversy and multiple criminal cases over alleged obscene and insensitive remarks.

Cure SMA India Foundation had approached the Supreme Court alleging that Raina had made insensitive comments about the high cost of treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy and ridiculed a person living with the condition. The foundation also sought safeguards against online content that could harm the dignity of persons with disabilities.

The road to Friday’s order was not entirely smooth.

The foundation had earlier told the Court that Raina had not contacted it or persons with disabilities to involve them in his shows. Raina’s counsel, however, maintained that funds had been raised through the programmes and that persons with disabilities had been invited.

In July, the Supreme Court imposed costs of Rs 3 lakh each on Raina and the four other respondents after expressing concern over their compliance with its earlier directions. The matter was subsequently listed for 14 August.

Friday’s hearing marked a significant change in tone, with the Bench acknowledging the steps taken by the respondents and their willingness to continue working with the petitioner foundation.

The proceedings also involve Ranveer Allahabadia, who was among those associated with the wider controversy. His plea seeking relief in the cases against him remains pending before the Supreme Court. The Court had earlier granted him interim protection from arrest.

For Raina and the four other respondents, the criminal proceedings are now over. For the wider internet, however, the Court’s continuing examination of safeguards for disability-related online content suggests the final word on where comedy, free expression and responsibility meet is still to come.