• Source:JND
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The Supreme Court of India took a significant step on Tuesday by recording the appearance of five social media influencers, including Samay Raina, the host of India's Got Latent, in a case alleging that they "ridiculed" individuals with disabilities, including those suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), during a comedy show. Along with him, comedians Nishant Jagdsish Tanwar, Sonali Thakar, Vipul Goyal and Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai have also been summoned.

Sonali Thakkar, also known as Sonali Aditya Desai, was granted an exception to appear virtually at the next hearing due to a physical condition, showcasing the court's willingness to adapt to individual circumstances.

The influencers were directed to file their responses to the petition within two weeks, with a strict warning that no further extensions would be granted. Moreover, their physical presence at the next hearing was deemed mandatory.

What did the bench state?

A bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, issued a directive to the five social media influencers, including Samay Raina, to submit their responses to the petition within a stipulated timeframe of two weeks. The court emphasized the importance of adhering to this deadline, explicitly stating that no further extensions would be granted, underscoring the gravity with which the court is approaching this matter.

Furthermore, the bench made it unequivocally clear that the personal appearance of all the influencers at the next hearing is not just expected but mandatory. Failure to comply with this directive would invite serious consequences, as the court warned that it would be "viewed seriously".

The bench also tasked Attorney General R Venkataramani with formulating social media guidelines. These guidelines aim to strike a delicate balance between the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression and the rights and dignity of others. The court emphasized that while freedom of expression is a cornerstone of democracy, it cannot come at the cost of violating others' rights. The challenge of enforcing such guidelines was also acknowledged, highlighting the complexities of regulating social media in the digital age.

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About the case: The case originated from a plea filed earlier this year, alleging that the influencers had mocked individuals with disabilities during an episode of their online show. The court's attention was drawn to specific comments made by Samay Raina, referencing a baby's need for a Rs 16 crore injection for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) during the roast comedy show "India's Got Latent" hosted by Ranveer Allahbadia. Justice Surya Kant expressed strong disapproval, stating that the allegations were disturbing and warranted serious consideration.