Lawfare – General, Others

The Supreme Court Monday directed India’s Got Latent host Samay Raina and four of his co-comedians to display their unconditional apology on their show or podcast for ridiculing those with disabilities, and rare genetic disorders.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said it will decide when it hears the matter next on the quantum of penalty to be paid by the comedians Raina, Vipun Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar, also known as Sonali Aditya Desai, and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar.

Justice Kant said, The degree of repentance should be higher than the degree of offending, it’s like purging contempt”.

The court said the Information Technology Act can include penal consequences for such actions, and asked Raina and others to “go apologise on your podcasts, etc…”. “Then tell us about the cost/penalty you are willing to bear.”