The Bombay High Court on Tuesday issued notices to the Mumbai police and Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel in response to a petition filed by comedian Kunal Kamra.
Kamra is challenging the FIR filed against him, accusing him of calling Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde a “traitor” during a stand-up comedy performance.
A bench consisting of Justices Sarang Kotwal and S.M. Modak set the next hearing date for April 16. The court instructed the respondents to gather instructions and respond to Kamra’s plea. The FIR was registered by the Khar police following a complaint filed by MLA Murji Patel.
Kamra’s Legal Counsel Highlights
During the proceedings, Kamra’s counsel, senior advocate Navroz Seervai, informed the court that the Madras High Court had extended Kamra’s interim transit anticipatory bail until April 17. Seervai emphasized that Kamra, who has been living in Tamil Nadu since 2021, had repeatedly offered to attend police questioning via video conference due to serious safety concerns. However, Seervai claimed that the Mumbai police insisted on his physical appearance, despite the risks to Kamra’s life.
“This is not a case of murder. It’s a case stemming from a stand-up comedy performance. Kamra is willing to cooperate, but he requests to do so via video conference,” Seervai argued.
The bench acknowledged that it would examine multiple issues, including Kamra’s safety concerns and the legal grounds for the FIR, in the next hearing. These aspects will be critical in determining the course of the case moving forward.
Freedom Of Expression & Artistic Autonomy
This case has brought to light broader concerns about freedom of expression, especially within the world of comedy. The incident underscores the growing scrutiny faced by artists who touch on political topics in their work. Kamra’s case is part of an ongoing debate about the limits of political criticism and the protections available to artists expressing their views.
As the hearing approaches, the case is likely to draw attention to the challenges that comedians and artists face in an environment where political discourse is increasingly under scrutiny. The outcome of the hearing on April 16 could have far-reaching implications for the protection of artistic freedom in India.
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