The Supreme Court on Friday quashed criminal proceedings against comedian Samay Raina and four other comedians over insensitive remarks concerning persons with disabilities on the show “ India’s Got Latent ”, appreciating their subsequent efforts to organise events and raise awareness and funds for people suffering from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
The respondents have now expressed their willingness to invite persons suffering from SMA and provide financial support, the court noted. The respondents and the NGO had discussed the structure and material for programmes aimed at celebrating the lives of SMA warriors. The respondents had expressed gratitude for the foundation’s guidance and were in the process of obtaining consent from SMA warriors for their participation, the court noted. All other related proceedings are set aside.
The court accordingly ordered: “Matter qua respondents 6-10 is closed. Criminal proceedings against respondents 6-10 are hereby quashed. The development marks a significant development from the court’s criticism of Raina and the other comedians last month, when it had imposed a cost of ₹ 3 lakh each for failing to comply with an undertaking given to the court.
Because of logistical difficulties, four further shows had been planned for fundraising, but could not be organised with the participation of persons with disabilities.
The bench also appreciated the “constructive conversation” that had taken place between the comedians and the Cure SMA Foundation, which had approached the court over the content concerning persons with disabilities.
The court recorded that the five respondents organised a chess tournament for persons with disabilities from March 14 to 16 this year, which received widespread media coverage and generated awareness about organisations working for persons with disabilities, including SMA. The court, however, kept the broader issue arising from the case alive, saying it would consider suggestions from persons with disabilities and issue appropriate directions on ensuring greater sensitivity and safeguards in online content. The event also involved donations to organisations working for the cause.
