Kunal Kamra Row: Stand-Up Comic Moves to Madras HC Seeking Transit Anticipatory Bail in Traitor Remark Case

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, seeking anticipatory bail in the traitor remark case, approached the Madras High Court on March 28. The court will be hearing his case today. An FIR has been lodged against him over the controversial video he released on YouTube, in which he is making fun of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and other political leaders and mocking businessmen. His case mainly pertains to the remarks he made against the Deputy DM Eknath Shinde. He did not directly mention his name in the video, but the supporters of Eknath Shinde claim that Kunal Kamra called Shiv Sena Chief Eknath Shinde Gaddar (Traitor). They opined that he was calling Shinde a gaddar for creating a split in the party in 2022.

Live Law reported that Kunal Kamra is a permanent resident of Villupuram town in Tamil Nadu, and hence, he stated that the Madras High Court has jurisdiction in this matter. Hence, he approached the Madras High Court seeking bail today. An urgent mention of this case was made before Justice Sunder Mohan, and he will hear this case on March 28, the report added.

Also Read: Maharashtra Govt Summons Kunal Kamra for Insulting ‘Traitor’, Remains Silent on Actor Rahul Solapurkar, Says Uddhav Thackeray

Under Sections 353(1)(b), 353(2) [Public mischief] and 356(2) [Defamation] of  Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, a zero FIR was lodged against Kunal Kamra by Shiv Sena MLA Muraji Patel. The FIR was later transferred to the Khar police station in Mumbai.

Kunal Kamra’s video triggered a massive uproar. During the show, he performed a parody of a popular Hindi song “Dil Toh Pagal Hai.” His mockery in the form of a song angered supporters of Deputy CM Shinde, and they vandalised the venue where he performed, the night the video was released. The next day of the video’s release, BMC officials reached the spot and demolished the property. Reacting to the whole incident, Kunal Kamra took a swipe at BMC. He said that next time, he will opt for any infrastructure that needs speedy demolition. In a social media post he reacted to the whole ongoing controversy. He posted, "An entertainment venue is merely a platform. A space for all sorts of shows. Habitat (or any other venue) is not responsible for my comedy, nor does it have any power or control over what I say or do. Neither does any political party. Attacking a venue for a comedian's words is as senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes, because you didn't like the butter chicken you were served."

After the recent Kunal Kamra controversy The Habitat is shutting down indefinitely. It announced its decision after Shiv Sena workers decided to vandalize the premises.