Supreme Court Fines Samay Raina ₹3 Lakh, Says Comedian “Brazenly Violated” Disability Rights Order
The Supreme Court on Tuesday imposed a fine of ₹3 lakh on comedian and YouTuber Samay Raina for failing to comply with its earlier directions in a case tied to insensitive remarks made about persons with disabilities on his show India’s Got Latent. Four others associated with the show were fined the same amount.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana passed the order after being informed that Raina had not invited any persons with disabilities to his show, despite an earlier court directive requiring him to do so.
The case stems from a petition filed by Cure SMA India Foundation, which accused Raina of making insensitive comments about the high cost of treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and of ridiculing a person living with the condition during an episode of the show. The foundation sought regulatory oversight for such online content, arguing it violated the right to life and dignity guaranteed to persons with disabilities.
According to a report by Bar and Bench, the court did not mince words in its order: “We have reason to believe that Samay Raina has taken the court for a ride and has brazenly violated the orders of this court. The misconduct is further compounded by the fact that an affidavit is filed when nothing is on record. Thus, we impose a cost of ₹3 lakh to be deposited within 2 weeks.”
The dispute traces back to November 2025, when the Supreme Court had directed Raina and other comedians to organise at least two fundraising events a month for a corpus set up to support treatment for persons with disabilities. They were also asked to actively involve specially-abled individuals in their programming.
During a hearing last year, CJI Surya Kant had told the comedians: “It’s a social burden we are putting on you, not a penal burden. You are well-placed persons in society. If you have become too popular, then share it with others.”
Sharp exchanges mark Tuesday’s hearing
Appearing for Cure SMA Foundation, advocate Aparajita Singh raised objections during Tuesday’s proceedings, pointing out that Raina and his team had used the word “disabled” instead of “specially abled” in their shows. She also noted that while some events had been organised, the foundation itself had never been contacted, despite the court’s directions.
“I don’t know what kind of youth icon he is… I shudder to think. There is a genuine lack of apology from Samay Raina,” Singh told the court, adding that the foundation was no longer willing to associate with someone she described as “egoistic and arrogant.”
Representing Raina, his counsel told the bench that the foundation’s address had not been available, which was why they had not reached out directly. The counsel added that the shows had raised ₹9 lakh for persons with disabilities.
Singh responded on behalf of the petitioner: “We do not want any money from them.”
The bench pressed the point further: “You should have invited the client of Ms Aparajita Singh and done the show. Now you are giving the sense that you are trying to buy them out. If you used their disability to showcase your fundamental right to have commercial speech… What about their fundamental right to dignity?”
Raina’s counsel responded that specially-abled individuals had in fact been invited to the show and that photographic evidence existed. On the foundation’s specific complaint, the counsel said: “But if Ms (Aparajita) Singh’s client was not reached out then it is unfortunate. We will prevail over our client and have it done.”
Court reduces fine, issues final warning
The bench had initially considered a fine of ₹10 lakh but ultimately settled on ₹3 lakh per person. Alongside the fine, the court directed all five individuals to comply fully with its earlier orders.
“If you don’t comply, it will become ₹30 lakh,” the bench warned, closing the hearing on a note that leaves little room for further delay.