Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai/Chennai: In a major relief for stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, the Madras High Court has granted him interim transit anticipatory bail till April 7 in connection with a case filed against him for making controversial remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The case stems from a parody song that Kamra performed during a stand-up show at Mumbai’s Habitat Comedy Club, which allegedly mocked Shinde and led to vandalism by Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) supporters. Following the show, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel lodged a complaint, prompting the Khar police to register a case under defamation and other relevant charges.
Fearing arrest, Kamra approached the Madras High Court for transit anticipatory bail, stating that he has been residing in Tamil Nadu since 2021. The Mumbai Police, meanwhile, has issued a second summons asking Kamra to appear for questioning on March 31.
Kamra’s petition sought protection from arrest to enable him to travel to Mumbai and cooperate with the investigation.
Background of the Case
Kamra’s parody, performed to the tune of the Bollywood song Bholi Si Surat from the film Dil To Pagal Hai, labelled Shinde a “gaddar” (traitor) for his 2022 rebellion that split the Shiv Sena and toppled the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government. After the show, Shiv Sena workers vandalised the venue and adjacent hotel property, following which the venue was temporarily shut.
