Mumbai: Three new FIRs were registered at Khar police station on Friday against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra in connection with his allegedly derogatory remarks about Dy CM Eknath Shinde, taking the total number of FIRs lodged in the matter so far to five.
The latest complaints were submitted by Jalgaon city mayor Sanjay Bhujbal, a hospitality industry professional and a Nashik-based businessman. The fresh FIRs coincided with the Madras high court’s grant of interim anticipatory bail to Kamra until April 7. Of the five FIRs registered, four are with Khar police and one in Dombivli, and there is one non-cognizable (NC) offence lodged in Thane. Khar police have so far sent two notices to Kamra asking him to appear. His video, aired last Sunday, created a political controversy as he alluded to Dy CM Shinde as “gaddar” in a parody song.
Jalgaon mayor Sanjay Bhujbal stated, “Comedian Kunal Kamra through his joke has mocked the deputy CM and other senior political leaders through his latest video. Action should be initiated against him at the earliest.” Nashik hotelier Sunil Jadhav’s complaint requested strict action against Kamra, and Nandgaon businessman Mayur Borse complained that besides mocking the deputy CM, Kamra had also stated other things against Shinde in the video.
Kamra on Thursday criticised the mainstream media, posting on X, “To all those hounding for a quote – The mainstream media at this point is nothing but a miscommunication arm of the ruling party. They are vultures who report on issues that don’t matter to the people of this country. If they all shut shop from tomorrow till eternity, they will be doing a favour to the country, its people, and their own children.”
Following the video’s release, Shiv Sena members led by Rahool Kanal vandalised the studio ‘The Habitat’ located inside hotel Unicontinental in Khar (West) last Sunday evening. Kanal and 11 of his associates got bail the following day. The first FIR in the matter was filed by MLA Murji Patel.
Kamra’s X statement after the Sainiks’ action read, “An entertainment venue is merely a platform. A space for all sorts of shows. Habitat (or any other venue) is not responsible for my comedy, nor does it have any power or control over what I say or do. Neither does any political party.”
