Kunal Kamra. File pic
The Bombay High Court on Friday ruled that comedian Kunal Kamra shall not be arrested in connection with a first information report (FIR) filed against him for allegedly calling Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde a "traitor" during a stand-up comedy show. However, the court allowed the police to continue their investigation.
As per PTI, a division bench comprising Justices Sarang Kotwal and S M Modak admitted Kamra's plea seeking the quashing of the FIR registered at Khar police station. The court clarified that the petition would be heard in detail at a later date, but granted Kamra interim protection from arrest in the meantime.
"Investigation can continue. The petitioner shall not be arrested during the pendency of the petition," the bench stated. It also noted that if police intend to record Kamra's statement, it must be done in Chennai - where he currently resides - after giving him prior notice.
Kamra had approached the court with concerns about his safety, citing death threats received since the registration of the FIR. The comedian, who is now a resident of Tamil Nadu, said he was hesitant to travel to Maharashtra for fear of retaliation.
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"If during the pendency of the petition, a chargesheet is filed in the case by the police, the concerned court shall not proceed with the same," the bench ordered.
Kamra's petition claims that even if the allegations in the FIR are taken at face value, they do not amount to an offence. He further requested that the court protect him from any coercive action, including arrest, seizure of his electronic devices, or scrutiny of his financial records.
According to PTI reports, the FIR was filed against Kamra for allegedly referring to Shinde as "gaddar" (traitor) in a parody performance of a song from the film Dil To Pagal Hai. During the show, he jokingly referenced Shinde's 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray, which led to a split in the Shiv Sena party. Following the performance, workers from Shinde's faction reportedly vandalised the studio where the show had been recorded.
Kamra told the court he had already offered to appear for questioning via video-conference. The bench last week had reserved its order on the interim protection plea and has now granted the comedian relief from arrest.
(With inputs from PTI)
