Joke row: Madras HC extends interim protection for Kunal Kamra till April 17

The Madras High Court has extended protection for comedian Kunal Kamra over an FIR filed against him, citing harassment by authorities. The court directed Kamra to approach concerned courts, and his interim bail remains effective. Supporters of Eknath Shinde caused damage in response to Kamra's remarks.

Standup comedian Kunal Kamra (File Image) NEW DELHI: The Madras High Court on Monday extended the interim protection granted to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra till April 17 over the FIR filed against him in Mumbai for his reported remarks against the Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde . Justice Sunder Mohan ordered Kamra to take steps in the meantime to approach the concerned courts, Live Law reported. While hearing the case, Advocate Suresh, representing Kamra, notified the court about three additional FIRs filed in Maharashtra.

He highlighted ongoing harassment, mentioning authorities' visit to Kamra's parents' residence in Bombay and police summoning attendees from Kamra's event. Following the court's earlier instruction, Suresh confirmed issuing a private notice to the Khar Police Station. The judge instructed the registry to verify and include Khar Police as respondents.

The hearing was postponed to April 17, with Kamra's interim protection remaining in effect. The court had previously granted Kamra interim anticipatory bail until April 7. Simultaneously, he has petitioned the Bombay High Court to nullify the Maharashtra Police FIR.

Justice Sarang Kotwal's division bench, following an urgent mention today, agreed to hear the matter tomorrow (April 8, 2025). Kamra sought the Madras High Court's intervention as a permanent resident of Villupuram town in Tamilnadu. The Mumbai-based Khar police station registered the FIR under Sections 353(1)(b), 353(2) [Public mischief] and 356(2) [Defamation] BNS.

Whilst Kamra avoided directly naming Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, party supporters claim he referred to Shinde as a traitor regarding his departure from the Shiv Sena. In response to Kamra's comments, Shiv Sena supporters damaged Mumbai's Habitat studio, the venue of his performance. Authorities arrested twelve individuals for the violence, who subsequently received bail.

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