The Supreme Court on Tuesday imposed a cost of Rs 3 lakh on comedian Samay Raina, observing that he had "taken the Court for a ride" by failing to comply with the undertakings given in proceedings arising out of the India's Got Latent controversy over insensitive jokes targeting persons with disabilities.

The Court also imposed the same cost on four other comedians Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar and Nishant Jagadish Tanwar.

Earlier, the Court had accepted their undertakings that they would make amendments for their insensitive jokes by conducting special shows to showcase the achievements of persons with disabilities and to generate funds for the treatment of those suffering from rare diseases.

Recording its displeasure over Raina's conduct, the bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana observed:

"We have no reason to doubt that Samay Raina has taken the Court for a ride. He is in brazen violation of statements/undertakings given before this Court."

The Bench further noted that Raina had attempted to justify the delay by claiming that a compliance affidavit had been filed, whereas no such affidavit was on record.

"The misconduct is sought to be compounded by stating that compliance affidavit was filed yesterday, however, no affidavit has been filed," the Court recorded.

The Court directed Raina to deposit Rs 3 lakh as costs within two weeks and granted him 15 days to file a compliance affidavit, warning that coercive action would be initiated if he failed to comply.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh submitted that despite the Court's earlier directions, Raina had neither contacted the Cure SMA Foundation nor persons suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

The senior counsel contended that the comedian's approach was reflective of his diregard for the Court's order and added that the Foundation did not want even a single penny from him (or the other comedians).

"I don't know what kind of an icon he is for the youth...I shudder to think if he is regarded as an icon by the youth", Singh remarked. "Our youth has better icons...", responded Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. The Chief Justice commented that they are "self-proclaimed icons."

The SG further informed about Raina hosting a new show (India's Got Latent Season 2), which he began by hanging "nimbu-mirchi" (apparently to protect it from bad fortune).

"Recently, he started a new show. He said now at the beginning, I am doing something which I didn't do in last series. He hangs nimbu and mirchi. He did not name anyone, but it was quite visible. I did not want to go into it but if he (Samay Raina) has not contacted SMA Foundation/persons suffering from SMA...", SG said.

He also objected to the use of the words "disabled persons" in the comedians' affidavits, saying that the appropriate words to use are "specially abled persons".

Hearing the submissions, the Court initially directed deposit of a cost of Rs. 10 lakhs. Subsequently, however, a uniform cost of Rs.3 lakhs (reduced from 5 lakhs) was imposed on all the comedians.

Making strong oral observations on public conduct, CJI Surya Kant said, "In public life, the more you respect others, the more respect you earn. You don't humiliate people."

When counsel for the comedians submitted that the failure to contact the SMA Foundation was not out of ego and assured the Court that they would impress upon their clients to comply, the Chief Justice responded:

"Today's order has been invited by respondents. We have been granting liberty. We thought that you are youngsters belonging to respectable families."

Referring to Raina's conduct, the CJI added:

"They think sitting outside the country they are beyond jurisdiction. Let them suffer now. If this is not arrogance, then we have to change Oxford dictionary also."

Case : M/S. CURE SMA FOUNDATION OF INDIA Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS., W.P.(C) No. 460/2025