Standup comedian Kunal Kamra (File Image)
Chennai: The Madras High Court on Monday extended interim protection against the arrest given to comedian Kunal Kamara to stand-up by 17 April. This protection is in relation to the FIR registered against him for his alleged remarks against the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister.
Justice Sundar Mohan said, “Interim protection will continue. Meanwhile, the petitioner must take steps to go to the appropriate court.” On 28 March, the court granted interim anticipatory bail to Comedian, a resident of Villupuram till 7 April.
When argued for the hearing on Monday, the petitioner’s counsel, V Suresh presented the proof of serving a private notice to the Mumbai Police. Suresh said, “Three more FIRs have been lodged. Enmity towards the petitioner is still going on. He (Mumbai Police) has gone to his house and harassing his old parents. Even those who attended the show were called,” Suresh said.
Recording the submission, the judge directed the registry to verify whether the private notice was given to the Mumbai Police. The court also directed the registry to print the name of the Mumbai Police in the cause list.
According to the petitioner, the allegation against him was that he had made some comments about the Deputy Chief Minister in a stand-up comedy show called ‘Naya Bharat’. He further said that the allegation does not warrant the Custodial inquiry and was unable to search for anticipatory bail in Maharashtra. The petitioner’s counsel said that there was a lifetime threat against him by Partimen and ministers.
Although FIR Khar, Mumbai, Maharashtra was registered, the petitioner is demanding anticipatory bail from the court as he lives under the jurisdiction of the court and is afraid of adjacent arrest at the hands of the Mumbai Police if he was traveling to Mumbai and taking regular anticipatory bail.
