Madras HC Extends Kunal Kamra’s Interim Bail In Shinde Case; Lawyer Says ‘Police Disturbed His Aged Parents’
Madras High Court extends comedian Kunal Kamra's interim anticipatory bail until April 17 in a case related to his criticism of Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
The Madras High Court on Monday extended the interim anticipatory bail granted to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra till April 17 in connection with a case registered against him for allegedly insulting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde through a parody song. The development was reported by Bar and Bench and news agency ANI.
Justice Sunder Mohan had initially granted Kamra interim protection from arrest on March 28, noting that the comedian had made out a prima facie case that he was unable to approach courts in Maharashtra due to threats to his life.
Kamra had approached the High Court seeking transit anticipatory bail, citing threats from workers of the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction). His counsel, Advocate V Suresh, told the Court that Kamra was facing continued hostility and that three additional first information reports (FIRs) had been registered against him since the last hearing, Bar and Bench reported.
“They have gone to his house and disturbed his aged parents. They have taken names of people who attended the show and sought details already available [online],” Suresh submitted, as quoted by Bar and Bench's report.
When the judge enquired whether notice had been served to the jurisdictional police in Mumbai, Advocate Suresh confirmed that it had. The Registry was accordingly directed to reflect this in the cause list.
The FIR was lodged in Mumbai following a complaint by Shiv Sena legislator Muraji Patel. Kamra has been booked under Sections 353(1)(b), 353(2) (public mischief), and 356(2) (defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Kunal Kamra's Remark On Eknath Shinde
The controversy pertains to Kamra’s recent stand-up act titled Naya Bharat, during which he performed a parody song that indirectly referred to Eknath Shinde as a “gaddar” (traitor)—a reference to Shinde’s decision to part ways with the unified Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray and align with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The move had triggered a split in the Shiv Sena, with Shinde’s faction ultimately forming the government in Maharashtra in alliance with the BJP.
Advocate Suresh argued that Kamra had not directly named anyone during his performance and contended that satire and parody fall under the ambit of free speech. He also informed the court about threats allegedly made against Kamra by political workers and even a Minister.
“They say they will ‘teach them in Shiv Sena style’. What is ‘Shiv Sena style’ is common knowledge,” the lawyer said, as per the report.
Meanwhile, Kamra has also moved the Bombay High Court seeking to quash the FIR filed against him. The matter is scheduled to be heard on Tuesday.
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