In response to a series of FIRs filed against him, stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has petitioned the Madras High Court for transit anticipatory bail. The legal filings stem from an incident where Kamra allegedly made controversial remarks about Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, sparking multiple legal challenges across Maharashtra.
Kamra, a resident of Villupuram in Tamil Nadu, contends that the jurisdiction of the Madras High Court is appropriate for his bail request. His urgent application was presented before Justice Sunder Mohan on Friday, according to Live Law.
The initial FIR, categorized as a Zero FIR under various sections including public mischief and defamation, was lodged by Shiv Sena MLA Muraji Patel. The case was subsequently transferred to the Khar police station in Mumbai. Kamra’s contentious act involved a parody song referring to a “gaddar” (traitor), which did not specify any individual but led to violent reactions. Supporters of Eknath Shinde’s faction of the Shiv Sena allegedly vandalized the Habitat studio in Mumbai where Kamra performed, prompting the venue to temporarily close.
The political backdrop is equally turbulent, with Shinde, who became the Chief Minister of Maharashtra in 2022 after a dramatic party split, later assuming the role of Deputy Chief Minister in a subsequent administration. Despite disavowing the violent actions of his party members, Shinde criticized Kamra’s jokes as being in poor taste.
Kamra has refrained from appearing before the Mumbai police, citing death threats from political party members, and has requested additional time to comply with legal procedures.
Amidst this controversy, Kamra’s performance continues to resonate online, where it has attracted substantial support and viewership, amassing over 6 million views and 58,000 comments on YouTube within just two days. Many supporters have also financially contributed to Kamra, endorsing his firm stance against issuing an apology.
