In a stern move highlighting the social responsibility that accompanies digital influence, the Supreme Court of India has imposed a fine of ₹3 lakh each on comedian Samay Raina, Ranveer Allahabadia along with fellow influencers and comedians Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar, and Nishant Jagadish Tanwar.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, passed the order on July 14, 2026, after observing that the individuals had failed to honour undertakings given to the court.
The legal proceedings stem from a controversy involving the comedy show India’s Got Latent, where certain remarks and jokes were flagged as insensitive toward persons with disabilities. A plea filed by the Cure SMA India Foundation alleged that the content mocked individuals suffering from rare genetic disorders, including Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), and ridiculed the high costs associated with their treatment.
In previous hearings, the Supreme Court had accepted undertakings from these creators to make amends. The court had directed them to:
- Host persons with disabilities on their digital platforms at least twice a month.
- Showcase the success stories of specially-abled individuals.
- Use their influence to generate awareness and funds for the treatment of children with rare disorders like SMA.
During the July 14 hearing, the court expressed deep displeasure upon learning that these directives had not been meaningfully fulfilled. Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, appearing for the Cure SMA India Foundation, submitted that Samay Raina had neither contacted the Foundation nor involved persons living with SMA as previously contemplated.
The bench noted that the influencers had claimed a compliance affidavit was filed, but no such document was found on the court record. “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 CJI observed.
Justice Bagchi further remarked that inviting a few individuals after the controversy appeared to be an attempt to “buy them out” rather than a genuine effort toward inclusivity.
While the court initially contemplated a higher penalty of ₹10 lakh, it eventually reduced the fine to ₹3 lakh per person, to be deposited within two weeks. The bench warned that failure to comply with these orders could lead to the penalty being increased to ₹30 lakh and cautioned that coercive action would be initiated if necessary.
The Chief Justice emphasized that public life requires a corresponding responsibility to treat others with dignity. “In public life, the more you respect others, the more respect you earn. You don’t humiliate people,” CJI Surya Kant stated.
This ruling serves as a significant reminder of the judiciary’s stance on the responsibilities of online creators, stressing that fundamental rights—including freedom of speech—do not grant a license to demean the dignity of vulnerable communities or disregard court mandates.
