The Supreme Court on Friday quashed all FIRs against comedian Samay Raina and others over alleged insensitive remarks about persons with disabilities made during the comedy show 'India's Got Latent'.
The court passed the order after noting the accused's compliance with its directions to conduct awareness programmes and raise funds for persons with disabilities.
The other comedians who received relief are Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar alias Sonali Aditya Desai, and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar.
Deep Dive
What were the Supreme Court's reasons for quashing the FIRs against Samay Raina and the other comedians?
What steps did Samay Raina and the other comedians take to comply with the Supreme Court's directives?
Why is the broader issue regarding content about persons with disabilities still under consideration by the Supreme Court?
The order came after Raina and the other accused complied with the Supreme Court's earlier directions to conduct awareness programmes and raise funds for persons with disabilities.
The court noted their efforts and said they had taken steps in a positive direction following the controversy surrounding the show.
Also Read | ‘Very bright youngsters’: SC relief to Samay Raina, others over disabled persons remarks on Latent show
What did SC say?
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana passed the order on Friday.
{{/usCountry}}A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana passed the order on Friday.
{{/usCountry}}The court specifically took note of the efforts made by Raina, Goyal, Ghai, Thakkar and Tanwar to organise shows for persons with disabilities as part of the directions issued in the case.
"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 court said.
Also Read | ‘Genuine efforts’: Supreme Court drops criminal cases against Samay Raina, 4 comedians
Criminal proceedings against Raina and others come to an end
The Supreme Court's order brings the criminal proceedings against the five comedians to an end. The court said that proceedings against respondents 6-10, who are the accused comedians in the matter, stood closed and that the criminal proceedings against them were being quashed.
"Matter qua respondents 6-10 (the accused comedians) is closed. Criminal proceedings against respondents 6-10 are hereby quashed. All other related proceedings are set aside. List to issue directions on the larger issue," the Court said.
However, the broader issue surrounding the regulation and scrutiny of content that may be insensitive towards persons with disabilities remains before the Supreme Court.
The top court will continue hearing the matter to consider suggestions from persons with disabilities on ways to ensure better checks on such content. It is also expected to issue appropriate directions on the larger issues involved in the case.
What was the controversy?
The controversy stems from an episode of 'India's Got Latent' that was recorded on November 14, 2024, and broadcast later. The episode subsequently came under scrutiny over allegations that some of the remarks made on the show were obscene and insensitive towards persons with disabilities.
The controversy led to multiple criminal cases being filed against several people associated with the show and those who appeared on it. The matter eventually reached the Supreme Court, which considered the cases and issued directions to the accused comedians as part of the proceedings.
As part of the relief process, the comedians were directed to undertake awareness initiatives and contribute towards efforts for persons with disabilities. The Supreme Court on Friday noted their compliance with these directions before quashing the FIRs and related criminal proceedings against them.