Comedian Kunal Kamra is facing increased legal trouble in Maharashtra, with three more First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against him over remarks directed at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Kamra had previously sparked controversy with his ‘gaddar’ (traitor) jibe at Shinde, which has now resulted in multiple legal complaints.
The new cases were filed in different parts of Maharashtra and, on Friday, were transferred to the Khar police station in Mumbai for further investigation, according to police sources.
The Khar police are already handling a criminal defamation case against Kamra and have issued two summonses, requiring him to cooperate with the inquiry. While Kamra had requested a week’s time to respond, his plea was rejected by the authorities.
Amidst the legal proceedings, Kamra has secured interim anticipatory bail from the Madras High Court, offering him temporary protection until 7 April in relation to the first FIR. However, the Mumbai police are expected to issue fresh summonses in connection with the newly filed cases.
The three new FIRs were lodged by Shiv Sena members from various districts.
Mayur Borse from Manmad, Nashik; Sanjay Bhujbal from Jalgaon Jamod, Buldhana; and Sunil Jadhav from Nandgaon Manmad, Nashik, have all alleged that Kamra’s remarks defamed Shinde’s moral character.
The complaints also claim that the comedian’s statements incited hatred between political parties.
The FIRs have been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 353(1)(b) and 353(2) (statements leading to public mischief) and Section 356(2) (criminal defamation), a police officer confirmed.
The controversy originated from Kamra’s stand-up act titled Naya Bharat, which he performed in February at Habitat Studio in Hotel Unicontinental, Khar. A video clip from the show was later uploaded on YouTube, where it quickly gained traction, leading to backlash from Shiv Sena supporters.
The video’s circulation prompted party workers to vandalise the studio, resulting in a police-registered suo motu case against them. Twelve individuals were subsequently arrested but later released on bail.
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