The Supreme Court passed a judgement this morning and ordered comedian Samay Raina and his co-accused Balraj Singh Ghai, Vipul Goyal, Sonali Thakker and Nishant Tanwar to host at least two shows a month and raise funds for the timely and effective treatment of persons with disabilities. The Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi passed the order after SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) Cure Foundation had filed an application to regulate free speech to curb mocking of persons with disabilities in April.

In addition to raising funds, the comedians must also use these shows to highlight success stories of differently abled people.

“We leave it to respondents 6 to 10 to persuade and invite the specially abled persons on their platforms to promote the cause of generating funds to provide timely treatment to specially abled including those suffering from SMA. We are confident that if respondent 6 to 10 show sincerity about showing their achievements. They will also come on the platform for wider publicity of their cause. We hope and expect that such few memorable events will take place before we hear matter the next date. Let such two programs be held twice a month,” the Court ordered.

The Supreme Court had declared on 21 April that they were “deeply disturbed” by Raina’s comments on blind people, and on an infant suffering from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The comedian also commented on the INR 16 crore injection that is needed to treat the condition. The Cure SMA Foundation had filed the application seeking regulation of free speech to curb mocking of disability.

“Let them use their influence to take forward this issue,” said Justice Kothishwar Singh in August. “That would be the best apology.”