Let them suffer now: Supreme Courts stern message to Samay Raina, Ranveer Allahbadia and Ashish Chanchlani
The Supreme Court criticised Samay Raina, Ranveer Allahbadia and Ashish Chanchlani for allegedly failing to follow its directions in a disability-related case. The court also urged Centre to consider a stricter law against insulting persons with disabilities
PTC Web Desk: The Supreme Court on Tuesday strongly criticised comedian Samay Raina and YouTubers Ranveer Allahbadia and Ashish Chanchlani for not following its earlier directions in a case related to remarks about people with disabilities.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant said the three social media personalities, who are seen as youth icons, had failed to honour the commitments made before the court.
The court made the remarks after it was told that Samay Raina had not invited people with disabilities to his shows, despite an earlier direction.
Samay Raina (left) and Ashish Chanchlani. Photo: Social Media
The judges said they believed Raina had not acted as promised and had even failed to file the required compliance affidavit. The court observed that such behaviour showed disregard for its orders.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice also said that staying outside India does not place anyone beyond the reach of the law. The court described the conduct as arrogant and said those responsible would have to face the consequences.
The case was filed by the Cure SMA India Foundation. The organisation alleged that Samay Raina made insensitive comments about the expensive treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and mocked a person living with the condition.
The foundation's lawyer told the court that Raina had never contacted the organisation or invited any person with disabilities to take part in his shows.
The petition also named comedians and social media influencers Vipun Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar.
The Supreme Court also asked the Central Government to consider bringing a law that would make insulting or mocking people with disabilities and rare genetic disorders a punishable offence, similar to legal protections available under the SC/ST Act.
Earlier, the court had directed Samay Raina and the other comedians to organise two programmes every month highlighting the achievements of persons with disabilities. The aim was to spread awareness and raise funds for the treatment of people suffering from conditions such as SMA.