SC says Samay Raina, Ranveer Allahbadia, Ashish Chanchlani has taken the court for a ride
Slamming the conduct of comedian Samay Raina and YouTubers Ranveer Allahbadia and Ashish Chanchlani, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said they had taken the court for a ride, and imposed a cost of Rs 3 lakh each on them.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana passed the order after it was informed that Raina had not invited any disabled persons to his show despite its earlier order.
The apex court had said the influencers could invite specially abled persons on their platforms to promote the cause of generating funds to provide timely treatment to those suffering from rare diseases such as Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
It had asked five social media influencers, including Samay Raina, to display their unconditional apology in their podcasts or shows for ridiculing persons with disabilities and rare genetic disorders.
“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 misconduct is sought to be compounded by stating that a compliance affidavit was filed yesterday, however, no affidavit has been filed,” the bench said.
The CJI remarked that they think sitting outside the country they are beyond jurisdiction.
“Let them suffer now. If this is not arrogance, then we have to change the Oxford dictionary also,” the CJI observed, adding, “In public life, the more you respect others, the more respect you earn. You don’t humiliate people.”
Highlighting the need for a stringent law to protect the dignity of the disabled, the Supreme Court asked the Centre to consider framing a statute to make derogatory remarks ridiculing persons with disabilities and rare genetic disorders a penal offence on the lines of the SC-ST Act.
Asking them to be careful about their conduct in future, the bench also directed comedians Raina and others to hold two programmes or shows per month about the success stories of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to generate funds for the treatment of disabled persons, especially those suffering from SMA. (PTI)
