The Supreme Court docket on Friday quashed the FIRs towards comic Samay Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Ghai, Sonali Thakkar and Nishant Tanwar over making insensitive jokes about individuals with disabilities.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana handed the order after noting that the comedians had taken a number of efforts geared toward making amends and selling consciousness and dignity for individuals with disabilities.
The bench famous the respondents organised a chess event for specifically abled individuals from March 14 to 16, 2026. The occasion obtained widespread media protection and helped elevate consciousness about organisations working with individuals with disabilities, together with these supporting folks affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Donations have been additionally made to organisations working for the neighborhood.
The respondents had additionally proposed 4 extra fundraising reveals. Whereas logistical difficulties prevented them from making particular preparations to ask specifically abled individuals to these occasions, they expressed their willingness to contain individuals with SMA and supply monetary help.
The Court docket famous {that a} constructive dialogue had taken place between the respondents and the petitioner NGO, Remedy Basis. The events mentioned programmes geared toward spreading consciousness about SMA and celebrating the lives and achievements of “SMA warriors.” The respondents additionally agreed to hunt the steering of the NGO whereas creating such programmes and to acquire the consent of SMA warriors for his or her participation.
The bench expressed appreciation for these efforts and stated the respondents have been anticipated to proceed working in the direction of occasions that promote dignity and consciousness for individuals with disabilities.
Final month, the Court docket had imposed a value of Rs 3 lakhs on the comedians for failing to adjust to their earlier undertakings to take efforts to make amends.
In the course of the listening to, CJI Surya Kant referred to an interplay he had held with specifically abled individuals yesterday. He stated the interplay had been a studying expertise for the judges and highlighted the challenges confronted by individuals with disabilities.
The Court docket said that it’s going to maintain the petition filed by Remedy Basis pending to think about the bigger situation on the necessity for pointers to stop the humiliation of individuals with disabilities. The bench known as for options from individuals with disabilities and the petitioner NGO earlier than issuing complete instructions.
The petitioner NGO additionally agreed to just accept funds deposited by the respondents via a requirement draft to be used in the direction of considered one of its causes. The Court docket directed that the quantity mendacity with the Supreme Court docket Registry is also transferred to the NGO.
Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh appeared for the petitioner.
Samay Raina was represented by Senior Advocate Madhvi Diwan, together with advocates Stuti Gujral, Shubhangni Jain and Ayush Kaushik and Abhay Pratap Singh, AOR.
Case Title: M/S. CURE SMA FOUNDATION OF INDIA Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS., W.P.(C) No. 460/2025
