MUMBAI: Khar police have started recording the statement of the cameraperson who recorded Kunal Kamra‘s show and statements of other staffers who were present when the video was shot on Feb 2.
The case is about Kamra’s ‘Naya Bharat’ video released online on Mar 24, after which 12 Shiv Sainiks, objecting to Kamra alluding to deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde as “gaddar,” vandalised the Habitat studio situated inside hotel Unicontinental in Khar (West). The Sena filed an FIR against Kamra at Khar police station the same day.
Police meanwhile issued third notice to Kamra asking him to be present by April 5 for questioning. Police said they will give adequate security to Kamra when he arrives in the city after functionaries of the Shiv Sena said that the party would welcome him to Mumbai in ‘Sena style.’
Nearly 70 people had attended Kamra’s show when it was recorded on Feb 2. However, Khar police withheld information on the total number of audience members who had been served notices under Section 179 of BNSS during investigation.
A 46-year-old banking professional from Kharghar said he had to cut short his 17-day holiday to Kerala and TN and return after repeated calls from police and a notice. The notice sought his witness statement under BNSS. The banker told TOI, “Despite me saying only that I had booked a ticket for the show online and that I had proof of the booking, the cops said I might have edited the video Kamra has recorded. Why will the comedian hand over his shows video to me (for editing)?”
Responding to TOI’s report Tuesday about audience members being summoned, Kamra posted on X, “How to kill an Artist: a step-by-step guide–outrage (just enough for brands to stop commissioning their work, outrage more (until private and corporate gigs dry up, outrage louder (so big venues won’t take the risk), outrage violently (until even the smallest spaces shut their doors), summon their audience for questioning (turning art into a crime scene). Now the artist is left with only two choices: Sell their soul and become a dollar puppet–or wither in silence.”
Kamra has got two notices so far from the Khar police asking him to appear before them in relation to the FIR filed against him. The Madras HC, after granting him interim relief from arrest, scheduled a hearing for Apr 7.
