Madras High Court Provides Interim Relief to Kunal Kamra until April 7 in Controversial Remarks Case
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Synopsis
The Madras High Court has granted interim protection to comedian Kunal Kamra, facing multiple legal challenges over controversial remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, until April 7. The case involves allegations of defamation stemming from his stand-up performance.
Key Takeaways
- Madras High Court grants interim protection to Kunal Kamra.
- Kamra faces multiple criminal cases for comments made about Eknath Shinde.
- Zero FIR registered against him by Mumbai police.
- Shiv Sena criticizes Kamra's remarks as defamatory.
- Privilege notice accepted by Maharashtra Legislative Council.
New Delhi, March 28 (NationPress) The Madras High Court has provided interim protection to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra until April 7, amidst multiple criminal allegations stemming from his 'traitor' comment directed at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
A bench led by Justice Sunder Mohan was deliberating on a request made by Kamra for transit anticipatory bail.
Earlier today, Kamra's application was brought up for urgent consideration before Justice Mohan, who committed to reviewing the case after the lunch break.
The MIDC police in Mumbai registered a Zero FIR against Kamra on Monday for an allegedly offensive joke made during a stand-up performance.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 9 (Mumbai), Dixit Gedam, stated that two offenses have been documented at the Khar police station.
One charge is against Kamra for his derogatory statements, while the second involves individuals who vandalized the Unicontinental hotel, the venue for Kamra's comedy show.
The investigation into these incidents is currently ongoing.
The Shiv Sena party has denounced Kamra's 'distasteful and defamatory' remarks, which were made during his recent act at the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai, where he performed a parody song aimed at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Kamra has already been charged under section 356(2) (defamation) of the BNS. The Mumbai Police has issued two summons to Kamra, who has yet to appear for questioning.
Additionally, the Maharashtra Legislative Council accepted a privilege notice against Kamra on Thursday, forwarding it to the Privileges Committee.
"I have acknowledged the notice of breach of privilege against Kunal Kamra and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare, and have sent it to Privilege Committee chairman Prasad Lad. The committee will determine the next steps regarding the motion," stated Upper House Chairman Ram Shinde.
Kunal Kamra found himself in hot water after he humorously adapted a popular Hindi song referring to Eknath Shinde as a 'traitor', alluding to the 2022 Maharashtra political crisis that led to the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray-led state government.
