Kunal Kamra gets interim bail from arrest till April 7 from HC

The Madras High Court has granted stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra interim pre-arrest bail till April 7 in a case related to his recent comments about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The decision came after Kamra moved the court seeking transit anticipatory bail, fearing arrest by Mumbai Police.

Justice Sunder Mohan granted relief on the condition that Kamra execute a bond to the satisfaction of the judicial magistrate at Vanur in Villupuram district. Additionally, the judge issued a notice to Khar Police in Mumbai and scheduled the next hearing for April 7.

The controversy began after Kamra performed a parody song at the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai’s Khar, which allegedly contained a “gaddar” (traitor) jibe directed at Shinde. Following the performance, Shiv Sena supporters vandalized the club and hotel premises, leading to increased tensions.

During the hearing, Kamra’s counsel argued that his performance did not specifically mention any individual and that satire and parody fall under freedom of speech. The lawyer emphasized that the show took place in January and was only uploaded recently, further questioning the timing of the backlash.

The defense also raised concerns about threats to Kamra’s life, urging the court to provide protection from possible retaliation. The legal team maintained that Kamra is a well-known comedian whose performances are meant to be humorous and not defamatory.