The Bombay High Court granted interim security to comedian Kunal Kamra from arrest until April 16 and issued notices to the respondents in connection with an FIR filed against him by the Shiv Sena leader.
Kamra has challenged the FIR on April 5, arguing that the FIR violates his fundamental rights under Articles 19 and 21 of the constitution, which guarantee freedom of expression and the right to life. His team has argued that the satirical content in his show Naya Bharat ensures protected speech and should not be criminalized under defamation or public mischief charges.
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FIR Filed Over ‘Traitor’ Allegations- Kunal Kamra
The FIR filed by police accuses Kunal Kamra of saying Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde is a “gaddar” (traitor) during a stand-up show in Mumbai, referencing Shinde’s 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray. Changes are invoked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 353(1)(b) (public mischief) and 356(2) (defamation).
Till now, three summons have been sent to Kamra, but he still has not appeared for questioning, referring to threats to his safety. Navroz Seervai, his lawyer, told the court Kamra is currently residing in Tamil Nadu and offered to appear via video conference.
Three other FIRs also filed in different cities like Nashik Rural, Jalgaon, and Nandgaon have been consolidated under police investigation.
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In the plea, Kunal Kamra argues the FIR violates his fundamental rights, including free speech and the right to livelihood. The petition states that the performance, scripted in July 2024 and staged 60 times before being uploaded in March 2025, presents political satire safeguarded by the right to free expression.
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