It is indeed a good day for Samay Raina and Ranveer Allahabadia, as after a year and a half of turmoil and court hearings, the Supreme Court on Friday quashed all FIRs filed against stand-up comedian Samay Raina and four others in connection with the controversy over derogatory remarks against persons with disabilities made during an episode of his show, India’s Got Latent.

Apart from Raina, the others who have received relief in the case are Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar alias Sonali Aditya Desai, and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana observed that Raina and the others had complied with the top court’s direction to conduct awareness programmes and raise funds for persons with disabilities, according to Bar and Bench.

The court praised the efforts of Raina, Goyal, Ghai, Thakkar and Tanwar in organising shows for persons with disabilities.

“Once there are genuine efforts, positive results are bound to be there. They are very bright youngsters. If they have started working in a positive direction, there will be positive output,” the court said, as per Bar and Bench.

However, the top court will continue hearing the matter to consider suggestions from persons with disabilities on ways to ensure better checks on such content and issue appropriate directions on the broader issues involved.

“Matter qua respondents 6-10 (the accused comedians) is closed. Criminal proceedings against respondents 6-10 are hereby quashed. All other related proceedings are set aside. List to issue directions on the larger issue,” the court said.

What was the controversy?

The controversial episode of India’s Got Latent, now being examined by the top court, was recorded on November 14, 2024, but was broadcast later. Several people who featured on the comedy show faced multiple criminal cases over allegations of making obscene and insensitive remarks.

Those facing cases included podcast host and content creator Ranveer Allahabadia, popularly known as Beer Biceps. However, Allahabadia’s petition seeking relief in the cases against him remains pending before the top court. The court had earlier granted him interim protection from arrest.