SC Orders Influencers to Raise Funds for Rare Disorders After Mocking Video Backlash
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The Supreme Court has directed comedian Samay Raina and four other social media influencers to use their platforms to raise awareness and funds for children with rare disorders, such as Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), after they faced backlash for mocking physical disabilities in a video. In a surprising move, the court chose not to impose a fine on the influencers, instead asking them to organize at least two events a month to generate funds for treatment and medical care. The court also requested that they invite people with disabilities to these events to share their success stories and raise awareness. The court's decision came after the comedians tendered unconditional apologies and filed affidavits, expressing their commitment to the cause of people with disabilities. The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, emphasized that if the influencers show repentance and contribute to the cause, their efforts will have a positive impact. The court's order also highlighted the need for greater awareness and funding for rare diseases, with senior advocate Aparajita Singh from petitioner NGO Cure SMA India Foundation citing the astronomical costs of treatment, which can run up to ₹16 crore for a single child. The court also explored broader regulatory reforms on online obscenity, age-gating, and child protection, questioning the current inadequacy of disclaimers and proposing stronger age-verification measures. This development follows the court's August 2025 order directing the comedians to publish unconditional apologies and indicate the monetary penalty they were willing to pay for mocking people with disabilities during an online show. The court emphasized that commercial speech carries responsibilities and that the right to dignity must prevail over freedom of speech when they collide.
