SC quashes all FIRs against Samay Raina, others over remarks on persons with disabilities

The Supreme Court on Friday (August 14) cancelled all FIRs lodged against comedian Samay Raina and four others in relation to insensitive remarks against persons with disabilities. The remarks were made on the show India's Got Latent.

SC quashes FIRs

During the hearing the bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice JV Mohana stated that Raina and four others have complied with the apex court’s instruction following which it quashed all FIRs against them.

Also Read: Supreme Court slams Samay Raina, Ranveer Allahbadia over non-compliance with order

The bench praised the efforts of Raina and others to organise shows for the welfare of persons with disabilities.

"Once there are genuine efforts positive results are bound to be there. They are very bright youngsters. If they have started working in positive direction, there will be positive output," stated the Bench as quoted by NDTV.

Court notes compliance

Last month, the Supreme Court imposed costs of Rs 3 lakh on the comedians after finding that they had failed to comply with earlier undertakings to take corrective measures. During Friday's hearing, the CJI referred to an interaction held a day earlier with persons with disabilities, reported Live Law.

Also Read: SC tells Samay Raina to host specially abled twice a month after insensitive jokes

The Chief Justice said the discussion helped the judges better understand the challenges faced by the disabled community and described it as a valuable learning experience.

Guidelines issue kept pending

The Court decided to keep pending the petition filed by Cure SMA India Foundation while it considers the broader issue of framing guidelines to prevent the humiliation of persons with disabilities.

Also Read: SC summons Samay Raina, influencers to court for 'ridiculing' disabled people

Cure SMA India Foundation had moved the apex court alleging that Raina made insensitive remarks about the high cost of treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy and had also allegedly mocked a person living with the condition.

The plea referred to comments made by Raina, host of "India's Got Latent", along with social media influencers Vipun Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar. The episode was recorded in November, after which multiple cases were filed over alleged obscene and insensitive remarks.