The Supreme Court on Tuesday imposed a cost $3 lakh on comedian Samay Raina and four others, who were withdrawn for brazenly defying an undertaking given in court to show respect and sensitivity towards people suffering from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) by featuring them in their online shows.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said: “You are now taking the court for a ride. If this is not arrogance, perhaps we should change the definition of this term in the Oxford dictionary.”
The court had in November 2025 ordered that Raina and four other people named by the SMA Cure Foundation – a body of parents of people with SMA – show remorse for mocking people with SMA in online shows.
They volunteered to invite people affiliated with the SMA Cure Foundation to their show to raise funds for the said cause and promote awareness of the importance of providing timely and high-quality treatment to people with SMA.
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“Brazen breach of undertaking”: the court
On Tuesday, Raina’s lawyer informed the court that the undertaking could not be adhered to as they had failed to obtain contact details of the foundation members.
Instead, it was proposed to conduct some performances by bringing some persons with disabilities in their show as part of the court directions. The bench considered this excuse to be highly implausible, saying, “There is no reason to doubt that Samay Raina has not only deceived this court, but is also in flagrant violation of the undertaking given to this court.”
Pointing out to Raina’s counsel that information regarding the institution could be obtained from their counsel, the judge said: “The affidavit will be filed within two weeks provided the cost is paid.” $– 3 million pounds deposited with the court clerk. If the cost is not deposited, coercive action will be taken.”
