New Delhi (India) August 14: The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday concluded the criminal proceedings against comedian Samay Raina and four other social media influencers who made comments targeting the disability community, appreciating their subsequent efforts to educate the public and work towards enhancing dignity for disabled persons. The Court, hence, closed the criminal proceedings against the five but will still hear the larger question for protection of dignity of the persons with disabilities. 

Court Praises Awareness Initiatives

In its judgment, SC appreciated efforts by the five influencers in organizing a chess tournament in March for disabled persons and helping spread awareness for organisations working for persons with disabilities like SMA Cure Foundation.

"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.

Larger Disability Rights Issue Continues

However, the apex court will continue to hear the matter for devising methods through which this content will have stricter checks and will also put directions concerning wider issues at play with suggestions of people with disabilities.

"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.

SC Directed Concrete Disability Measures

Their proceedings were instituted as a criminal case in view of jokes passed by the five influencers, when the content was flagged by M/s SMA Cure Foundation working for persons affected by the Spinal Muscular Atrophy and various rare diseases. 

Further into the proceedings and as the case progressed, the influencers were pushed by the Supreme Court to provide concrete measures in favor of people with disabilities and the court noted that these five had successfully organised a Chess tournament for specially-enabled people in March to raise public awareness about organisations working with persons with disabilities. 

SMA Foundation Acknowledges Genuine Efforts

The SMA Cure Foundation submitted to the court through advocate Aparajita Singh that the influences had put in genuine effort and an attempt to collaborate with their foundation after the Court’s direction.

During the hearing of the present case on Friday, not only has the top court mentioned that the influences have made adequate discussion with the SMA Cure Foundation but is also ready to invite persons living with SMA for their events. There are additional programmes that are also in the pipeline to raise money.

Earlier, in November the influencers offered before the top court to organise events-virtual or in-person, twice a month to generate money for funds that will assist in the upbringing of the persons affected with the rare disease.