After Supreme Court Order, Samay Raina & 4 Other Comedians Organize Shows To Raise Funds For Persons Affected By Spinal Muscular Atrophy
The comedians have told the Court that they invited persons with disability during these shows and encouraged them to share their experiences.
Following Supreme Court's directions, Samay Raina and other comedians have filed affidavits before the Court stating that they organized events in Mumbai to generate public awareness about Spinal Muscular Atrophy and raise funds for supporting those inflicted by it.
It may be recalled that while dealing with Cure SMA Foundation's plea against insensitive jokes made by some comedians against the disabled, a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi had directed last year that comedians Samay Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar and Nishant Jagadish Tanwar telecast programs in their shows about the success stories of persons with disabilities to generate funds for the treatment of disabled persons, especially those suffering from SMA.
The Court had ordered that such programs be held at least twice a month. It was further said that the comedians can invite specially abled persons on their platforms to promote the cause of generating funds to provide timely treatment to those suffering from rare diseases. The comedians were asked to do so as a reparation for their insensitive jokes about the disabled.
Pursuant to the above, the comedians have filed affidavits before the Court stating that they organized 4 shows in December, 2025 and January, 2026 at Mumbai to generate public awareness and raise funds for SMA-affected persons.
Persons with disability were not only invited to attend the events, but also encouraged to participate on stage to share their personal experiences and perform alongwith the comedians, the affidavits claim. It is stated that the first row of the auditorium was reserved for persons with disability, who were provided complementary tickets. Some of the attendees were persons affected by SMA.
The proceeds from these shows shall be transferred as per directions of the Court, the comedians have stated.
Case Title: M/S. CURE SMA FOUNDATION OF INDIA Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS., W.P.(C) No. 460/2025