Mumbai: Khar police issued a second notice to standup comedian Kunal Kamra on Wednesday following his non-appearance before the investigation officer in connection with the defamation case filed against him for alluding to Dy CM Eknath Shinde as “gaddar” in his video that stirred a political controversy. The fresh notice, received by Kamra’s father in the city, asks for his “immediate attendance” at the police station. Kamra’s lawyer had asked for a week’s time.
On Wednesday, Kamra said in a post on X that T-series had initiated copyright action against his video for using their song in his parody and requested YouTube to remove the content.
Kamra had not appeared before the Khar police till late Wednesday evening. DCP (zone IX) Dikshit Gedam confirmed to TOI that the second notice had been issued at Kamra’s Mahim residence.
Asked for his reaction, Kamra said on Wednesday, “I am not responding to the media.”
The case against Kamra is based on a complaint filed by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel on Sunday. Patel said Kamra had mocked Shinde on his YouTube show.
Following the video’s airing on Sunday, Shiv Sainiks vandalized the studio Habitat at Unicontinental Hotel in Khar on Sunday evening. Habitat is where the video had been shot. Police subsequently arrested 12 Shiv Sainiks, who were later granted bail.
Khar police are coordinating with other police stations to consolidate complaints against Kamra. A second FIR was filed in Dombivli on Tuesday. Though the FIR talks about use of the term “gaddar,” Kamra did not named Eknath Shinde in the video but referenced the Deputy CM’s position.
On Wednesday Kamra posted on X, “Hello @TSeries, stop being a stooge. Parody & satire comes under fair use legally. I haven’t used the lyrics or the original instrumental of the song. If you take this video down every cover song/dance video can be taken down. Creators please take a note of it. Having said that every monopoly in India is nothing short of mafia so please watch/download this special before it’s taken down. FYI – T- Series I stay in Tamil Nadu.”
