Top Court Warns Comedian Samay Raina, Pay 3 Lakhs, Will Add One More 0.

According to multiple reports published today, the Supreme Court strongly criticized comedian Samay Raina during a hearing related to the ongoing case over allegedly insensitive remarks about persons with disabilities. The bench observed that Raina had failed to fully comply with its earlier directions and said he had "taken the court for a ride." The judges initially imposed a fine of ₹10 lakh, expressing dissatisfaction with his conduct and the delay in complying with the court's orders. During the hearing, Raina's lawyer requested the court to show leniency and grant one final opportunity to comply with all directions. After considering the request, the Supreme Court reduced the penalty from ₹10 lakh to ₹3 lakh. However, the bench issued a stern warning, stating that if it was not satisfied with compliance at the next hearing, the fine could be increased to ₹30 lakh. This warning led to the widely reported headline, "Pay 3 Lakhs, Will Add One More 0..." The court also questioned why the required compliance affidavit had not been properly filed despite claims from the defence that it had already been submitted.

The judges remarked that merely making statements before the court was not enough and emphasized that court directions must be followed strictly. They added that public personalities cannot ignore judicial orders or assume they are beyond the court's jurisdiction. Several media outlets reported that the case is linked to previous controversies involving Samay Raina's comedy content and remarks that allegedly hurt the sentiments of persons with disabilities. The Supreme Court reiterated that freedom of expression carries responsibilities and that public figures must respect the law while exercising their right to free speech.