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Synopsis

The Supreme Court on Monday took strong exception to comedian Samay Raina’s alleged mockery of the exorbitant treatment cost for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), stating that such ridicule could not be passed off as humour or satire when it demeans persons with disabilities.

The Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh was hearing a petition filed by influencer Ranveer Gautam Allahbadia seeking the release of his passport amid pending FIRs in Maharashtra and Assam over crass comments made on his talk show.

During the hearing yesterday, Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, appearing for NGO Cure SMA Foundation, sought to intervene and pressed for regulatory mechanisms to curb offensive speech targeting the disabled community.

Singh told the Bench that comedian Samay Raina’s remarks ridiculing the Rs 16 crore cost of SMA treatment for infants had a damaging psychological and social effect, diminishing public empathy and hampering fundraising for treatment.

The Senior Counsel also cited instances where Raina allegedly mocked a visually impaired individual and referred to a video clip where former cricketers Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Suresh Raina were seen limping and holding their backs to mimic injuries, allegedly trivializing disability.

“These clips are merely the tip of the iceberg,” Singh argued, adding that persons with disabilities are routinely made objects of pity or derision in popular media, which violates their right to dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Taking cognizance of the issue, the Court directed the NGO to compile and submit a list of such incidents, along with video transcripts and suggestions for remedial measures.

“Free speech cannot be a license to demean vulnerable communities under the guise of satire,” the Bench observed.

In the main matter, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the States of Maharashtra and Assam, had informed the Court that Maharashtra Police have completed their investigation and are ready to file a chargesheet against Allahbadia. However, the probe in Assam is still underway, as one co-accused is yet to be questioned.

Allahbadia's counsel, Advocate Dr. Abhinav Chandrachud, reiterated his client's request for the release of his passport, stressing that international travel is essential for his work in digital content creation, including arranging interviews for his shows.

The Court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on April 28. It also granted Allahbadia interim protection from coercive action until the next hearing.

Case Title: Ranveer Gautam Allahbadia v. Union of India & Another Connected Matter [W.P.(Crl.) No. 83/2025]