Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Supreme Court quashes FIRs against Samay Raina, four others
A famous comedian in India named Samay Raina made jokes on his show that hurt people with disabilities.
Some people thought the jokes were mean, so police cases were opened against him and four of his friends.
The Supreme Court, the biggest court in India, got involved in the matter.
Instead of punishing them right away, the court asked them to do good things.
They had to raise money to help people who are sick or disabled.
They held a chess tournament for people with disabilities and many fundraising shows.
They raised a lot of money, about 12 and a half crore rupees.
The judges said they were very bright youngsters who had done genuine work to help.
Because they worked so hard, the court decided to close the cases against them.
The court also wants to make new rules to protect people with disabilities from hurtful jokes.
The Supreme Court quashed criminal proceedings and FIRs against Samay Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar.
The bench praised the five as "very bright youngsters" for their "genuine efforts," including a March chess tournament for persons with disabilities.
The case arose from jokes about people with disabilities, including spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients, made on "India's Got Latent," recorded at Khar Habitat on November 14, 2024.
The court noted about ₹12.5 crore was raised through their shows and that the five are willing to invite SMA patients to their programmes.
The bench closed the matter against the five but said it would consider comprehensive directions to protect the dignity of disabled persons.
- Who
- Comedian Samay Raina and influencers Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar, whose FIRs were quashed by a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.
- What
- The Supreme Court quashed criminal proceedings against the five over insensitive remarks about persons with disabilities made on the show "India's Got Latent."
- When
- Friday, August 14; the remarks stemmed from an episode recorded on November 14, 2024.
- Where
- Supreme Court of India, New Delhi; the episode was recorded at Khar Habitat.
- Why
- The court found the comedians made genuine amends, including organising a chess tournament for disabled persons and fundraising shows that raised about ₹12.5 crore for SMA and disability welfare.
- Influencers granted relief
- Samay Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar, Nishant Jagdish Tanwar
- Bench
- Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana
- Petitioning organisation
- SMA Cure Foundation (also referred to as Cure SMA India Foundation/Cure Foundation)
- Origin of case
- Jokes about persons with disabilities, including SMA patients, on "India's Got Latent," recorded at Khar Habitat on November 14, 2024
- Funds raised
- Around ₹12.5 crore through the comedians' shows
- Awareness event
- Chess tournament for persons with disabilities, March 14–16, in Pune
- Earlier court action
- Unconditional apology directed in August 2025; ₹3 lakh cost imposed on each for non-compliance
- Pending matter
- Separate petition by Ranveer Allahbadia remains pending before the Supreme Court
Sources
‘Very bright youngsters’: Supreme Court quashes FIRs against Samay Raina, four others over disability remarks
SC quashes FIRs against comedian Samay Raina, others for jokes about persons with disability
SC quashes FIRs against Samay Raina, four others over insensitive remarks on PwD
SC quashes criminal cases against Samay Raina, 4 other comedians for disability remarks
SC Quashes Criminal Proceedings Against Samay Raina, Four Others
