HC Grants Interim Protection From Arrest To Comedian

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has been involved in a controversy after he received backlash over his joke on Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde. For the unversed, Kunal’s controversial ‘gaddar’ (traitor) joke allegedly aimed towards Eknath Shinde created outrage. Bombay Court has now provided interim relief from arrest to Kunal Kamra in this case.

According to Times Of India, the court said, “Arguments are concluded for interim relief seeking stay of investigation into the FIR lodged by the Khar police. Reserve for orders. In the meantime as agreed by public prosecutor summons were issued under 35 (3) of BNSS which specifically refers to notice being issued for recording of statement of accused where arrest of person is not required. In that background the question of arresting (Kamra) in CR number 194/2025 of Khar poice doesn’t arise.. Till then petitioner shall not be arrested.”

About The Controversy:

The uproar was caused towards Kunal’s traitor joke which was allegedly aimed towards Eknath Shinde created outrage. After this, CM Devendra Fadnavis strongly criticised Kamra’s comments and called his joke ‘a low quality comedy’. MIDC police had registered a first information report against Kamra for his remarks and it was later transferred to Khar police for investigation.

A mob then vandalised the Habitat studio after Kamra’s controversy errupted. He then issued an official statement on social media and refused to apologised. He wrote, “An entertainment venue is merely a platform. A space for all sorts of shows. Habitat (or any other venue) is not responsible for my comedy, nor does it have any power or control over what I say or do. Neither does any political party. Attacking a venue for a comedian’s words is as senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes, because you didn’t like the butter chicken you were served.”