NEW DELHI: In a massive legal setback for popular stand-up comedian and YouTuber Samay Raina, the Supreme Court of India has imposed a hefty fine of Rs 3 lakh on him for failing to comply with its earlier directions. The Samay Raina Supreme Court fine comes in the wake of the highly controversial India’s Got Latent case, where the comedian and his peers were accused of mocking persons with disabilities and children suffering from rare genetic disorders.
A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, expressed severe displeasure on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, stating that Raina had “taken the court for a ride”.
Why Supreme Court Imposed Fine On Samay Raina?
The controversy stems from a previous hearing involving a plea filed by the NGO Cure SMA India Foundation. During that hearing, Raina and other internet personalities gave undertakings to the court that they would make amends for their insensitive jokes. They promised to host special shows twice a month featuring persons with disabilities, highlight their achievements, and raise funds for children suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
However, Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, representing the NGO, informed the bench that despite resuming his shows, Raina had neither contacted the Foundation nor invited persons living with SMA as directed. Instead, the comedians allegedly filed affidavits claiming they did not have the contact details of the NGO members and attempted to offer donations instead.
Singh told the court that the NGO—comprising parents of children undergoing expensive SMA treatments—did not need their money and refused to participate due to the comedians’ “arrogant attitude”.
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“Taken the Court for a Ride”: CJI Surya Kant Slams the Comedian
The bench was particularly harsh regarding Raina’s lack of compliance, noting that he had falsely claimed a compliance affidavit was filed when nothing was on record.
- “Let them suffer now”: The CJI remarked that the comedians seemingly believed they were beyond the court’s jurisdiction while sitting outside the country. “If this is not arrogance, then we have to change the Oxford dictionary also,” CJI Surya Kant observed.
- Right to Dignity: Justice Bagchi pointed out that while Raina’s shows focus on the “right to happiness” and humour, they appear fixated only on material things, completely ignoring the fundamental right to dignity of specially-abled persons.
- Youth Icons: When Singh remarked that people like Raina are considered youth icons, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta interjected, stating, “Our youth have better icons”.
India’s Got Latent Controversy: Other Comedians Fined
The Samay Raina Supreme Court fine does not apply to him alone. The apex court also imposed a matching Rs 3 lakh penalty on four other prominent comedians involved in the India’s Got Latent broadcast: Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar, and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar.
The court initially considered imposing a massive fine of Rs 10 lakh per person but reduced it to Rs 3 lakh after hearing submissions from their legal counsel.
Warning of Escalated Penalties for Non-Compliance
The Supreme Court has directed all five internet personalities to deposit the Rs 3 lakh fine within two weeks. Furthermore, they have been granted a strict 15-day window to file a proper compliance affidavit.
The bench delivered a stern final warning to the comedians: if they fail to comply with the court’s orders this time, the penalty will instantly be enhanced by adding a zero, raising the fine to Rs 30 lakh.