The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on five social media influencers, including comedian and television host Samay Raina, over allegations of mocking individuals suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disorder. Taking serious note of the matter, the court directed all five to appear in person, warning of strict legal consequences if they fail to comply.
A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh directed the Mumbai Police Commissioner to serve court notices to the influencers. The court described the alleged online content as “very damaging and demoralising,” observing that such mockery undermines the inclusive framework that laws for the disabled strive to build.
The petition was filed by the NGO Cure SMA Foundation of India, which accused the influencers of demeaning people with rare disorders on public platforms. Represented by senior advocate Aprajita Singh, the NGO urged the court to consider establishing specific guidelines for how individuals with disabilities and rare diseases are represented on social media.

“You should think of some remedial and punitive action within the law,” the bench told Singh, indicating the court’s willingness to explore both accountability and systemic reform.
The bench reaffirmed that while freedom of expression is a fundamental right, it is not without limits. “No one can be allowed to demean anybody under the garb of the right,” the judges said firmly.
In a move that signals the court’s intention to address the broader implications of online abuse and misinformation, the judges also sought assistance from Attorney General R Venkataramani, requesting his views on how such content might be regulated under existing legal frameworks.