- The Supreme Court on Friday quashed all FIRs against comedian Samay Raina and four others over alleged insensitive jokes about persons with disabilities during his 'India's Got Latent' show.
- A Bench comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana passed the order, noting Raina and others' compliance with the top court's direction to conduct awareness programmes and raise funds for persons with disabilities.
- Apart from Raina, the others who received relief are Vipul Goyal, Sonali Thakkar alias Sonali Aditya Desai, and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar.
- The bench remarked, "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," as per Bar and Bench.
- The Court stated, "Matter qua respondents 6-10 (the accused comedians) is closed. Criminal proceedings against respondents 6-10 are hereby quashed. All other related proceedings are set aside. List to issue directions on the larger issue."
The Supreme Court's decision to quash FIRs against comedian Samay Raina and three others marks a significant moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding comedy and sensitivity towards disabilities. The bench, comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, acknowledged the comedians' efforts in conducting awareness programs as part of their compliance with the court's directives.12
The court stated, "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," highlighting the potential for positive change through awareness initiatives.
The FIRs were related to remarks made during the controversial episode of 'India's Got Latent,' which was recorded on November 14, 2024, and later broadcast. The court's ruling not only quashed the criminal proceedings against Raina, Vipul Goyal, Sonali Thakkar, and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar but also set aside all related proceedings, effectively closing the matter for these respondents.3
The bench emphasized the importance of the comedians' compliance with the court's earlier directions, stating, "Matter qua respondents 6-10 (the accused comedians) is closed. Criminal proceedings against respondents 6-10 are hereby quashed. All other related proceedings are set aside." This ruling comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of the content produced by comedians, with other figures like podcast host Ranveer Allahabadia still facing pending cases.
The court had previously granted Allahabadia interim protection from arrest, indicating the complexities surrounding freedom of expression in comedy.
“The bench, comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, noted Raina and others' compliance with directions to conduct awareness programmes and raise funds for persons with disabilities. The court also set aside all related proceedings, while listing the larger issue for further directions.”
