Supreme Court Quashes Criminal Cases Against Samay Raina and Four Others in 'India's Got Latent' Row

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has quashed all criminal proceedings against comedian Samay Raina and four other comedians — Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar — over insensitive remarks concerning persons with disabilities made in connection with the show India's Got Latent.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana passed the order, noting the comedians' efforts to organise fundraising and awareness programmes for persons with disabilities as directed by the court earlier.

The case stemmed from remarks made during the show, filmed in November 2024, including comments relating to the cost of treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy and alleged ridicule of a person with disability. The court had earlier imposed costs of ₹3 lakh each on the comedians after finding they had not fully complied with its directions, and had ordered them to organise at least two awareness events a month.

The bench clarified that it would continue hearing the broader issue concerning safeguards for persons with disabilities on such platforms, even as the individual criminal cases against the five comedians stand closed.