Maharashtra Police have issued notices to individuals who attended comedian Kunal Kamra’s show “Naya Bharat” held on February 2 at Habitat Studio in Mumbai. The summons, under Section 179 of the CrPC, empowers police to question witnesses in an investigation. Kunal Kamra is under scrutiny for allegedly making controversial remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during his performance, prompting police to investigate the matter.
The police are looking into Kunal Kamra’s comments made during the show, where he reportedly called Eknath Shinde a “gaddar” (traitor), which has stirred significant political and public debate. The remarks were linked to the 2022 Maharashtra political crisis, where Eknath Shinde led a rebellion that led to the downfall of the Uddhav Thackeray-led government. Kunal Kamra’s comments have drawn backlash, particularly from Shiv Sena supporters, who have demanded an apology from the comedian.
YP Singh, a former IPS officer and lawyer, discussed the legal aspect of the summons, stating that the police have the right to call one or two attendees from the show as witnesses. However, Singh emphasized that calling witnesses is not mandatory, especially when there is electronic evidence available that may serve the purpose of the investigation. He also suggested that the case does not carry significant legal weight since the show took place within the limits of freedom of speech.
On March 25 and 26, Kunal Kamra received notices from the Khar Police, asking him to appear at the police station for questioning about his remarks. However, he failed to show up, citing that the Madras High Court had granted him interim bail until April 7. Kunal Kamra later posted a message on X (formerly Twitter), expressing his frustration with the police visit to his former address, calling it a “waste of time” and resources.
Despite Kunal Kamra’s defiant stance, the case has attracted considerable attention, particularly among Shiv Sena leaders, who have condemned his comments. The video of Kunal Kamra’s show was uploaded to his YouTube channel on March 23, sparking heated reactions, with Shiv Sena leaders continuing to demand an apology from the comedian.
The situation continues to unfold, with Kunal Kamra yet to engage with the police or provide any further statements about the controversy surrounding his remarks.
