Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has approached the Madras High Court seeking transit anticipatory bail in relation to an FIR filed against him in Mumbai. The case pertains to his alleged remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in a satire video.
Kamra, who is a permanent resident of Villupuram in Tamil Nadu, argues that the Madras High Court has jurisdiction to hear his plea. The matter was urgently mentioned before Justice Sunder Mohan today (March 28), and the court is set to hear the case post-recess.
The FIR was initially registered as a Zero FIR under Sections 353(1)(b), 353(2) [Public Mischief], and 356(2) [Defamation] of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). It was lodged by Shiv Sena MLA Muraji Patel and later transferred to the Khar police station in Mumbai.
Although Kamra did not explicitly name Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in his statements, Shiv Sena party workers claim that his comments indirectly referred to Shinde as a "traitor" due to his political split from the Shiv Sena.
Following Kamra’s remarks, a group of Shiv Sena workers vandalized Mumbai’s Habitat Studio, where the comedian had performed his show. The police arrested twelve individuals in connection with the violence, but they were later granted bail.
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Kamra’s legal counsel informed the court that the comedian has been receiving death threats following the controversy. In light of these threats and the FIR, he has sought protection through transit anticipatory bail.
The Madras High Court is expected to take up the matter later today and decide on Kamra’s plea.
