Mumbai: The Bombay High Court will hear on April 8 a petition filed by stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, 36, seeking quashing of FIRs registered against him by the Mumbai Police over alleged remarks insulting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
About Kunal Kamra's Petition
Kamra’s petition was mentioned for urgent hearing before a bench of Justices Sarang Kotwal and S.M. Modak on Monday by his counsel Navroz Seervai.
The bench posted the matter for hearing on Tuesday, but clarified that if Kamra sought interim relief against coercive action, he would have to approach the appropriate bench. The comedian's interim bail has now been extended till April 17.
Kamra filed the petition last week, contending that the FIRs violate his fundamental rights under Articles 19(1)(a) (freedom of speech and expression), 19(1)(g) (right to practise any profession), and 21 (right to life and personal liberty) of the Constitution.
The plea was mentioned after Kamra skipped three summons issued by Mumbai Police to record his statement. On April 1, Khar police issued a third summons, asking him to appear on April 5 in connection with his remarks.
About The First FIR
The first FIR was filed on March 24 at the Khar police station over comments Kamra made during his ‘Naya Bharat’ show at Habitat Studio, Unicontinental Hotel, Khar. He allegedly made remarks about prominent politicians, industrialists, and central agencies.
A zero FIR was initially registered at MIDC police station the same day and later transferred to Khar police station.
The complaint was filed by Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLA Murji Patel, who represents the Andheri East Assembly constituency. Police invoked Sections 353(1)(b) (publishing or circulating false statements or rumours), 352 (provoking breach of peace), and 356(2) (defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Three more FIRs were filed on March 28 under the same provisions. Additional cases were registered in Thane and Dombivli.
On April 5, an online ticketing platform delisted Kamra and removed all content related to him amid backlash over his remarks.
Last month, the Madras High Court granted Kamra interim anticipatory bail till April 7 in connection with one of the Mumbai FIRs. He had approached the court claiming to be a permanent resident of a northern Tamil Nadu district and expressed fear of immediate arrest and physical harm if he travelled to Maharashtra.
