Noting that comedian Samay Raina violated its orders and “took the court for a ride”, the Supreme Court on Tuesday told the comedian that he will have to face consequences.
“We believe Samay Raina has taken court for a ride, brazenly violated our orders. If you don’t know how to mend your ways or respect sentiments of the society members then you have to face consequences,” the Supreme Court said, directing the comedian to pay Rs 10 lakh as fine.
The comedian’s lawyer, seeking last chance, appealed for leniency.
The top court then brought down the fine from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 3 lakh, warning that it will slap Rs 30 lakh fine if it is not satisfied in the next hearing.
Last year, the Supreme Court had summoned five influencers and stand-up comics, including Samay Raina, over offensive and derogatory remarks made against persons with disabilities.
It had said any speech that demeans a community or class of persons would be curtailed.
The comic was directed to host fundraising shows on his platforms for specially abled individuals who have inspiring stories every month. The controversial comments mocking the disabled were made on the show ‘India’s Got Latent’.
“It’s a social burden we are putting on you, not penal burden. You are well-placed persons in the society. If you have become too popular, then share it with others,” Chief Justice Surya Kant said during a hearing last year.
Cure SMA Foundation filed a plea against the content creators to seek action for making what it called an “insensitive remark”.
Lawyer Aparajita Singh, appearing for Cure SMA Foundation, said they (the comics) have organised some events for disabled but they have not contacted the Foundation as directed by the court.
“I don’t know what kind of youth icon he is… I shudder to think. There is a genuine lack of apology from Samay Raina,” Aparajita Singh told the court.
The lawyer for Samay Raina submitted that they did not have address of Cure SMA Foundation, adding that’s “why we did not approach them”.
“The specially abled people were called and photos are there. But if Ms (Aparajita) Singh’s client was not reached out then it is unfortunate. We will prevail over our client and have it done,” Samay Raina’a lawyer said.
