Mumbai, Apr 25 (UNI)The Bombay High Court on Friday granted protection from any coercive step, including arrest, to comedian Kunal Kamra currently facing backlash for his controversial comments about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The court was hearing a plea moved by Kamara seeking quashing of multiple FIRs against him, following his satirical video and "gaddar" comment purportedly made against Shinde.
The division bench of justices Sarang Kotwal and Shriram Modak admitted his plea for quashing the FIR and said he will not be arrested in respect of the FIR during the pendency of the plea.
The bench in its order said: “The investigation in this case can continue. If the investigating agency wants to record the petitioner’s statement, the same can be recorded in Chennai with the help of the local police after giving notice of reasonable period to the petitioner so that he can remain present in Chennai.
"If during the pendency of this petition, a chargesheet is filed, the court (trial court) shall not proceed against the petitioner during pendency of this petition."
In his plea Kamra sought a stay on the proceedings arising out of the said FIR. The court was informed that the Madras HC has extended interim protection from arrest to Kamra .
Senior advocate Navroz Seervai who appeared on behalf of Kamra, said that the court must consider the death threats received by his client. The authorities aren't keen to record his statements but they want him here to be present physically.
' His physical presence must not be insisted till the present petition is heard," Seervai argued.
In the 146-page petition, Kamra challenged the legality, correctness, and propriety of FIR registered at Khar Police Station on March 24, 2025, under sections 353(1)(B), 353(2) and 356(2) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) by Shiv Sena MLA Muraji Patel. The FIR was later transferred to the Khar police station in Mumbai.
Though Kamra had not directly taken the Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's name, the party workers allege that he had called Shinde a traitor while referencing to his split from the Shiv Sena.
Offended by Kamra's remarks, a group of Shiv Sena workers had vandalised Mumbai's Habitat studio, where the comedian had performed the show. Twelve people were arrested in connection with the violence that had erupted and were subsequently granted bail.
Kamra claims he has been receiving death threats since the show.
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