Mumbai Police at Kunal Kamra’s residence in Mahim (right), Kunal Kamra X Post (left) |
Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on Monday failed to appear before Khar police in connection with the case registered for his ‘traitor’ jibe at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, while a team went to his Mahim home to ‘check’ his availability.
According to the summons issued earlier, Kamra was supposed to appear before the police during the day for questioning. However, he did not turn up, as the matter is currently stayed after the Madras High Court granted him interim bail until April 7.
So far, no fresh notice has been served to Kamra. Dixit Gedam, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone-9, stated, “The police have neither served any fresh notice to him, nor has he or his lawyer contacted the police again.”
After the police visited his Mahim residence, Kamra took X and posted, “Going to an address where I have not lived for the last 10 years is a waste of your time and public resources.”
Kamra has permanently relocated to Puducherry.
On March 24, an FIR was first filed against Kamra over his alleged remarks against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Following this, the police served him two summonses, to which Kamra’s lawyer responded via letter, seeking eight days to appear before them. Meanwhile, he approached the Madras High Court, which granted him interim bail until April 7.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (Shinde) office-bearer Rahool Kanal and other party workers appeared at the Khar police station on Monday, as per the requirement to mark attendance every Monday and Thursday. An FIR had been filed against them for allegedly vandalising the Habitat Comedy Club at the Unicontinental Hotel in Khar West.
After appearing in front of the Khar police, Rahool Kanal stated, “We went in front of the law. We surrendered ourselves. We had a case. As a right, as a citizen’s right, we came out on bail. And after that, we are becoming a part of the law.”
He posted on X, “Following the procedure of law, (Shiv Sena) Yuva Sena members come to the police station for attendance every Monday and Thursday. We welcome the court’s verdict that gives Kamra relief, but it is only until April 7. He should come and face the law… No matter what protection he has there (in Tamil Nadu), whenever he comes to Mumbai, he will be welcomed in a good ‘Shiv Sena style’… It’s not a threat. Mumbai has this culture of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, and he considers himself a guest here.”
On March 23, Kunal Kamra uploaded his ‘Naya Bharat’ special show, in the show he made remarks about several politicians, industrialists and central agencies. His use of terms like ‘traitor’ and ‘stolen father, someone else’ Eknath Shinde triggered outrage within the Shinde faction of Shiv Sena.
