The Madras High Court on Friday (March 28) granted interim transit anticipatory bail to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra in connection with an FIR lodged against him in Mumbai over his alleged remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The court also issued a notice to Mumbai Police and scheduled the next hearing for April 7.
Kamra sought relief from the Madras HC after facing multiple death threats following the release of his stand-up video Naya Bharat on social media. His counsel, V. Suresh, highlighted the threats in court, emphasizing the need for immediate protection.
The case against Kamra stemmed from a Zero FIR filed under Sections 353(1)(b), 353(2) (Public Mischief), and 356(2) (Defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Muraji Patel. The FIR was later transferred to Khar police station in Mumbai. While Kamra did not explicitly name Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers alleged that he indirectly referred to Shinde as a "traitor," alluding to his split from the Shiv Sena.
Meanwhile, another FIR was registered against Shiv Sena Yuva Sena General Secretary Rahul Kanal, Kunal Sarmalkar, and around 40 party workers for allegedly vandalizing Habitat, the stand-up comedy venue where Kamra recorded the video. The FIR includes charges of rioting, unlawful assembly, intimidation, trespassing, and obstructing government work under various sections of the BNS and the Maharashtra Police Act.
