14 August,2026 03:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Samay Raina. Pic via Instagram
Comedian Samay Raina, YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia and others have received a major relief from the Supreme Court on Friday, August 14. The apex court quashed the criminal proceedings against comedian, YouTuber and four other comedians over their insensitive remarks about persons with disabilities on Samay's show India's Got Latent.
According to a Bar anad Bench report, the bench, comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, passed the order on August 14, clearing them of all FIRs in this regard.
Apart from Samay Raina, the relief also covers Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar alias Sonali Aditya Desai and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar. Additionally, the court also appreciated their efforts to organise events for the benefit of persons with disabilities after apologising for their comments.
"Once there are genuine efforts, positive results are bound to be there. They are very bright youngsters. If they have started working in a positive direction, there will be positive output," the bench said.
The court also noted that the criminal proceedings against the five comedians were being quashed. It added that the related proceedings would also be set aside. However, the larger issue around the continual checks on online content remains open. The Supreme Court is expected to consider suggestions from persons with disabilities before framing appropriate directions in the matter.
Comedian Samay Raina, during the show, made a dark humor joke mocking a crowdfunding campaign for an infant suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disorder. After the episode was aired, multiple complaints and FIRs were filed in different states against Samay Raina, Ranveer Allahbadia and others. They were allegedly accused of obscenity and indecent language during the show India's Got Latent. Following the lawsuits, the show was temporarily shut.
Almost a year after the controversy broke out, the comedian returned with a second season of the show.
Notably, the Supreme Court had last month criticised comedian Samay Raina and YouTubers Ranveer Allahbadia and Ashish Chanchlani, calling them as "self-styled youth icons." According to PTI, the court also expressed concern over their alleged failure to comply with its earlier directions.
