On Tuesday, the Supreme Court imposed a fine of Rs $3 lakh each to stand-up comedian and YouTuber Samay Raina and four others for violating court orders in the case linked to insensitive remarks made on their show about persons with disabilities.
A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalia Bagchi and V Mohana passed the order after they were informed that Raina had not invited any disabled persons to his show, which was one of the directions the court had issued earlier. The court was hearing a petition filed by Cure SMA India Foundation, accusing Raina of making insensitive remarks about the high cost of treating spinal muscular atrophy. Raina also allegedly mocked a person with such a disability.
The petition has been filed seeking regulations for streaming such content online in violation of the right to life and dignity of persons with disabilities.
“We have reason to believe that Samay Raina has deceived the court and brazenly violated the orders of this court. The misconduct is further aggravated as it stipulates filing of an affidavit when there is nothing on record. Hence, we impose a cost $The court ordered the deposit of Rs 3 lakh within two weeks, according to the Bar and Bench Association report.
In November 20205, the Supreme Court directed Raina and other comedians to organize at least two events a month to raise funds for the group set up to treat people with disabilities. They were also instructed to persuade people with special abilities to join their programmes.
What happened
Senior advocate Aparajita Singh, appearing for the petitioners’ organisation, on Tuesday claimed that Samay Raina never approached them or any other specially-abled persons to join any of his shows.
Raina’s lawyer told the court about this $9,000 were collected through special offers for the disabled.
The petitioner’s lawyer responded: “We don’t want any money from them.”
“You should have invited Ms. Aparajita Singh’s client and made the offer. Now you feel like you are trying to buy them out. If you use their disability to pitch your basic right to a business letter… what about their basic right to dignity?” Bench said.
The Supreme Court eventually imposed costs on Raina and others. The authority initially considered costs $10 lakh but eventually reduced it to $3 lakh per person. It also asked the five to abide by the court’s previous directions.
“If you don’t comply, it will become $30 lakh,” the bench warned Raina and others.
