Mumbai: The Khar police have registered three more FIRs against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra in connection with his Naya Bharat special show.
These FIRs were filed based on complaints from Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) party workers. The cases were registered under Sections 356(2) (defamation), 353(2), and 353(1)(b) (statements conducive to public mischief, particularly focusing on the circulation of false statements or rumours with the intent to create or promote enmity and hatred) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Statement Of Deputy Commissioner Of Police (Zone 9)
Dixit Gedam, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 9), stated, "These FIRs initially were registered as Zero FIRs at various locations and later transferred to Khar police station."
According to the FIRs, Sanjay Bhujbal (45), Jalgaon Shiv Sena city chief; Sunil Jadhav (50), Nashik Shiv Sena city chief; and Mayur Borase (50), Manmad Shiv Sena city chief, filed the complaints at police stations. Subsequently, on March 28, the police registered the cases. These fresh FIRs seek action against Kamra over his allegedly controversial remarks about Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The FIRs also state that Kamra has previously made controversial remarks against prominent politicians and public figures. During his show, he allegedly referred to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a "traitor" and claimed he had "stolen someone’s father."
Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel had already filed a case against Kunal Kamra at the MIDC police station, which was later transferred to Khar police. The police issued two summonses to him, but he sought eight days' time. Meanwhile, Kamra approached the Madras High Court for interim anticipatory bail, which was granted until April 7, 2025. Legal experts said that the interim anticipatory bail granted by the Madras High Court provides Kamra protection from arrest in relation to the specific FIR for which the bail was granted.
If Kunal Kamra comes to Mumbai before April 7, 2025, the Mumbai Police cannot arrest him for the specific FIR covered by the Madras High Court's interim anticipatory bail. This protection applies regardless of his location until the bail expires. The interim anticipatory bail is valid until April 7, 2025. After this date, unless Kamra secures an extension or regular anticipatory bail from the appropriate court, the protection from arrest will lapse, and the police may proceed with legal actions, including arrest, based on the FIR.
About The Interim Anticipatory Bail
The interim anticipatory bail granted by the Madras High Court pertains specifically to the FIR that Kamra cited in his petition. The three additional FIRs filed against him in Mumbai are separate cases. Therefore, the protection granted by the Madras High Court does not automatically extend to these new cases. Kamra would need to seek anticipatory bail separately for each of these additional FIRs from the appropriate jurisdictional courts.
Senior lawyer Ujjwal Nikam stated, "If the Madras High Court granted him blanket bail, then the Mumbai police will not arrest him until April 7. However, for the other three FIRs, he needs to approach the court separately, as the interim bail was granted for a specific case. Meanwhile, he can also approach the Supreme Court." So far, the Khar police have filed four FIRs against Kamra for allegedly making controversial remarks about Deputy Chief Minister Shinde, and additional cases have also been registered against him in Thane and Dombivli.
