The Madras High Court on Friday (March 28) granted interim transit anticipatory bail to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra. The court also issued a notice to Mumbai Police and scheduled the next hearing for April 7.
Kunal had approached the Madras HC seeking transit anticipatory bail in connection with an FIR lodged against him in Mumbai over his alleged remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
According to a report in Live Law, his counsel, V Suresh, urged the court for immediate relief, highlighting the multiple death threats Kunal received following the release of his stand-up video Naya Bharat on social media.
Kunal Kamra case
The case against Kunal originated from a Zero FIR filed under Sections 353(1)(b), 353(2) (Public Mischief), and 356(2) (Defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) following a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Muraji Patel. The FIR was later transferred to the Khar police station in Mumbai.
Additionally, another FIR was lodged against Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) Yuva Sena General Secretary Rahul Kanal, Kunal Sarmalkar, and around 40 party workers for allegedly vandalising the stand-up comedy venue Habitat, where Kunal had recorded the video.
The FIR invoked multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Maharashtra Police Act, including charges of rioting, unlawful assembly, intimidation, trespassing, and obstructing government work.
Kunal Kamra’s controversial stand-up act
While Kunal did not explicitly name Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde in his remarks, party workers alleged that he indirectly referred to Shinde as a “traitor,” hinting at his split from the Shiv Sena.
On Monday, the 36-year-old comedian released his show Naya Bharat across his social media platforms. Soon after, the MIDC police registered a Zero FIR against him for allegedly defaming Shinde and spreading false statements.
Kunal Kamra refuses to apologise
Amid the controversy, Kunal remained defiant, stating that he would not apologise for his remarks made during his act.
“I will not apologize. What I said is exactly what Mr. Ajit Pawar (1st Deputy CM) said about Mr. Eknath Shinde (2nd Deputy CM). I don’t fear this mob, and I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down,” he declared in his official statement.
