The Bombay High Court on Tuesday (April 8, 2025) asked the Maharashtra Government to respond to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra’s petition seeking the quashing of the FIR lodged against him by the Khar Police Station in Mumbai.
The FIR was lodged against him based on a satirical video for using the term ‘gaddar’ (traitor) remark made in his recent show that is alleged to be offensive and was directed at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
A Division Bench of Justices Sarang Kotwal and S.M. Modak issued a formal notice to the State and the complainants in the case and kept the matter for a detailed hearing on April 16, 2025, at 2.30 pm.
The Bench asked senior advocate Navroz Seervai, representing Mr. Kamra, about the interim protection given to him by the Madras High Court. Mr. Seervai responded, “The Madras High Court has extended interim protection till April 17, but we are concerned about the quashing of the FIR. It would be irresponsible for me to go on.”
Watch: Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde speaks on Kunal Kamra’s controversy
Physical presence demanded
“My client has thrice offered to give a statement over video conferencing in the light of danger he faces. It does seem the authorities are not keeping on recording the statement. They keep insisting on his physical presence over here,” said Mr. Seervai.
“On no less than three occasions, we have offered to cooperate on video conferencing. This is not some murder case, it is a comedy show, a video of which is available with them. Milords must consider the death threats received by my client.
“The authorities are not 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,” he said.
The Bench asked the Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Mankunwar Deshmukh representing the Maharashtra government to get instructions in the petition. The APP sought that the matter to be kept on April 22. To this, the Bench said, “He is protected till April 17 and not beyond that, so we will hear the matter on April 16 at 2.30 p.m.”
In the next hearing, the court said it will consider the issue of whether Mr. Kamra’s physical appearance in the case is required or not.
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