The court granted the interim relief after Kamra’s counsel argued that the comedian was receiving death threats and could not safely appear before courts in Maharashtra.
Published Mar 28, 2025 | 5:49 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 28, 2025 | 5:53 PM
Synopsis: The Madras High Court has granted interim anticipatory bail to comedian Kunal Kamra until 7 April, amid an ongoing defamation case linked to alleged remarks about Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The court acknowledged Kamra’s safety concerns, including reported death threats, as he argued he could not safely appear before Maharashtra courts.
The Madras High Court on Friday, 28 March, granted interim anticipatory bail to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra until 7 April, in the ongoing case of alleged defamation against Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, LiveLaw reported.
The order followed a complaint filed in Mumbai over allegedly defamatory remarks made by Kamra during a recent stand-up performance.
“Petitioner says he is facing life threats. Unable to approach courts in Maharashtra…” Justice Sunder Mohan said, granting the interim relief after Kamra’s counsel argued that the comedian was receiving death threats and could not safely appear before courts in Maharashtra.
The comedian has been living in Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu, since February 2021. The court directed Kamra to appear before the magistrate court in Vanur, Villupuram district, to secure regular bail.
Appearing for Kamra, Senior Advocate V Suresh said: “He has not taken any name. He is a well-known comedian. The programme happened in January. The video was uploaded recently. Satire, parody — all are accepted as freedom of speech.”
Suresh told the court that ruling party leaders had issued public threats against Kamra. “Ruling party ministers are on record. They are threatening him. I have mentioned the details in the petition,” he said. Kamra had also informed police about threats to his life.
“I have also written to the police informing them that I am getting these threats. I have always believed in the Constitution,” Kamra said. “He really needs protection from this court. There is a threat to life.”
The case stems from a performance at Mumbai’s Habitat Comedy Club in January, where referred to a political figure from Thane as a “gaddar” (traitor) – widely interpreted as a reference to Chief Minister Shinde and his 2022 political realignment that led to the collapse of the previous Maharashtra government.
The video of the performance was uploaded to Kamra’s YouTube channel on 23 March.
Later that day, workers of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction vandalised the Habitat Comedy Club. Around 20 people were involved in the attack, and over 10 individuals were arrested, including Shiv Sena youth leader Rahul Kanal.
On the same day, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Kazi Patel filed a complaint against Kamra. A FIR was registered at Khar police station in Mumbai under sections 353(1)(b), 353(2) (public mischief), and 356(2) (defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Following the FIR and police summons, Kamra approached the Madras High Court for transit anticipatory bail, citing safety concerns.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
