The Supreme Court fined comedian Samay Raina and four others Rs.3 lakh each for violating its orders in a case over insensitive remarks about persons with disabilities. The Court said Raina had “taken the court for a ride” and acted brazenly.
The Supreme Court imposed a fine of Rs.3 lakh each on stand-up comedian and YouTuber Samay Raina and four others for violating its orders in a case related to insensitive remarks made on their show about people with disabilities.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, passed the order after it was brought to their notice that Raina had not invited any disabled persons to his show, which was one of the directions issued by the Court earlier.
The Court observed that Raina violated its directives and “took the court for a ride,” and warned that he would have to face consequences.
It told the comedian,
“We believe Samay Raina has taken court for a ride, brazenly violated our orders. If you don’t know how to mend your ways or respect sentiments of the society members then you have to face consequences,”
The Court initially directed Raina to pay Rs 10 lakh as a fine. His lawyer then sought a last chance and requested leniency.
Taking the request into account, the Supreme Court reduced the penalty from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 3 lakh, while cautioning that it would impose a further fine of Rs 30 lakh if the Court was not satisfied at the next hearing.
Last year, the Supreme Court summoned five influencers and stand-up comedians, including Samay Raina, over offensive and derogatory remarks made about persons with disabilities. The Court had stated that any speech that demeans a community or class of people would be curtailed.
Among other directions, the comedian was told to host fundraising shows on his platforms for specially abled individuals, who are said to have inspiring stories every month. The controversial comments mocking disabled people were made on the show “India’s Got Latent.”
During a hearing last year, CJI Surya Kant had remarked,
“It’s a social burden we are putting on you, not penal burden. You are well-placed persons in the society. If you have become too popular, then share it with others,” Chief Justice Surya Kant said during a hearing last year.
Cure SMA Foundation filed a plea seeking action against the content creators, alleging that they made an “insensitive remark.”