Kunal Kamra Approaches Bombay HC Seeking Quashing Of FIR In Shinde Joke Case
Mumbai, Maharashtra: Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on Monday approached the Bombay High Court with a plea against an FIR filed against him by the Mumbai Police in connection with the ‘gaddar’ (traitor) jibe against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a show.
As per the High Court website, he filed the plea on April 5 and the matter is listed for hearing before a bench of Justice Sarang Kotwal and Justice Shriram Modak on April 21.
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In his plea, comedian claimed that the police action against him was violative of his fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 19 (1) (a) (right to freedom of speech and expression), 19 (1) (g) (right to practice any profession and business) and 21 (right to life and personal liberty) under Constitution.
Meanwhile, Kamra did not appear before the Mumbai Police on Saturday even after summoned for a third time in the case. Earlier, the Madras High Court granted the comedian interim protection from arrest till today.
Mumbai witnessed tensions last month as workers of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction vandalised a performance venue in Khar following Kamra’s latest video. The video, posted on YouTube, featured Kamra satirising Shinde, indirectly referring to him as a “traitor.” The remark was linked to Shinde’s 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray, which split the Shiv Sena. While Kamra did not directly name Shinde, the video quickly went viral, drawing strong reactions from Shinde’s supporters.
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Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel filed a complaint against Kamra, leading to a first information report (FIR). The MLA demanded a public apology, warning that Kamra would face consequences if he did not comply. “If he is seen anywhere in public, we will paint his face black,” Patel threatened, adding that the matter would be raised in the Maharashtra Assembly.
In a strongly worded statement issued later, Kamra defended his right to free speech and criticised the violent reaction to his satire.
