The Bombay High Court has granted interim protection to comedian Kunal Kamra until April 16 in the controversial case involving his alleged “traitor” jibe at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The court also issued notices to the Mumbai police and Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel regarding Kamra’s plea seeking to quash the FIR lodged against him.
The Controversy Explained
The case stems from Kamra’s stand-up comedy show “Naya Bharat” where he allegedly called Shinde a “gaddar” (traitor) during a performance. The comedian reportedly used a modified version of a Hindi song from the film “Dil To Pagal Hai” to joke about Shinde’s 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray.
Following a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, the Khar police registered an FIR against Kamra under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 353(1)(b) (statements conducive to public mischief) and 356(2) (defamation).
Legal Developments
A division bench comprising Justices Sarang Kotwal and S M Modak has scheduled a hearing for April 16. Kamra’s petition, filed on April 5, argues that the FIR violates his fundamental rights, particularly:
- Freedom of speech and expression
- Right to practice any profession and business
- Right to life and liberty guaranteed under the Constitution
Kamra’s senior counsel, Navroz Seervai, informed the court that the comedian has been residing in Tamil Nadu since 2021 and had offered to cooperate with the investigation through video conference, citing threats to his life and safety.
Police Summons and Kamra’s Response
Despite receiving three summonses from Mumbai police, Kamra has not appeared.
The comedian was granted interim transit anticipatory bail by the Madras High Court, which has been extended until April 17.
“This is not a murder case, but the fallout of a comedy performance,” Seervai told the court, emphasizing that Kamra is willing to cooperate via video conferencing due to safety concerns.
Broader Implications
The case has sparked debate about freedom of expression in comedy. Kamra’s legal team argued that his remarks were satirical commentary on political events.
The show in question was scripted in July 2024 and performed approximately 60 times across various locations between August 2024 and February 2025. It was uploaded online in March 2025.
Will this high-profile case redefine the boundaries between political satire and defamation in India’s entertainment landscape?