Mumbai, April 2 — The Mumbai Police have issued a third summons to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, requesting his presence on April 5 in connection with a case filed against him for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. This summons follows two prior failed attempts to get Kamra to join the investigation, according to police officials.
The Alleged Incident
The controversy arose from a parody song performed by Kamra during a comedy show in Mumbai. The song, which critics claim was directed at Shinde, implied that the Maharashtra Deputy CM was a traitor. Although the song did not mention Shinde's name directly, it is said to have targeted him, especially considering his leadership of the Shiv Sena following his rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray.The performance led to strong reactions from Shiv Sena activists, who vandalized the studio where the show was recorded.
Legal Developments
Following the incident, an FIR was filed against Kamra by the Khar police, based on a complaint from a Shiv Sena MLA. The charges include defamation and public mischief under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections related to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.Despite previous summonses, Kamra had not appeared before the police for questioning. On Monday, a team from the Khar police visited his residence in Mumbai's Mahim area, seeking to determine whether he would comply with the summons.
Court Ruling on Anticipatory Bail
In a related legal development, Kamra was granted interim anticipatory bail by the Madras High Court on March 28. Justice Sunder Mohan also issued a notice to the Khar police and scheduled the matter for a further hearing on April 7.Kamra, who is 36 years old, is expected to appear before the police on April 5, as requested in the latest summons.
This article highlights the ongoing legal proceedings involving Kunal Kamra and underscores the tensions between free speech and defamation laws in India. The case continues to attract public attention, especially given the involvement of political figures and activists.
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