Comedian Kunal Kamra has been issued a third summons by the Mumbai Police in connection with a case filed against him over alleged remarks targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The controversy has sparked criticism from opposition parties in Maharashtra, who have accused the state government of using police action to suppress dissent. Kunal Kamra, who has been granted interim anticipatory bail by the Madras High Court until April 7, has yet to appear before the authorities despite multiple summonses.
According to officials, the latest summons was issued on Tuesday after Kunal Kamra failed to respond to two previous notices for questioning at the Khar police station. On Monday, police officers visited his residence in Mumbai to check whether he intended to cooperate with the investigation. The case against Kunal Kamra has been registered under sections 353 (statements conducing to public mischief) and 356(2) (defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, based on complaints filed by Shiv Sena workers. The complaints, initially lodged at different police stations, were later transferred to Khar police station.
The controversy has drawn widespread criticism from opposition parties, who argue that the state’s BJP-led Mahayuti government is misusing law enforcement agencies. Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal condemned the action against Kunal Kamra, claiming that the government is turning the state into a “police state.” He questioned whether watching Kunal Kamra’s comedy show should be considered a crime and accused the administration of shielding the guilty while targeting critics.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also criticized the government, highlighting the state’s pressing law and order issues. “While crimes like rape and orchestrated riots are increasing, the government is busy sending notices to people who attended a comedy show,” Thackeray remarked, calling the police action a distraction from real governance issues.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Police clarified on Tuesday that audience members at Kunal Kamra’s show have not been issued any notices. This statement came after media reports suggested that some attendees had been summoned for questioning. A senior police officer reiterated that no audience members had been asked to record statements in connection with the case.
