Kunal Kamra has reacted to reports that a banker, who attended his controversial stand-up comedy show in Mumbai, was summoned by the police as a witness. Taking to social media, Kamra expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to the individual and extended an offer to compensate him by arranging a vacation anywhere in India of his choice. Kamra’s response came after media reports suggested that the banker had to cut short his holiday due to the summons issued by the police.
The police, however, later clarified that the banker’s immediate presence was not required and denied reports that multiple audience members who had attended Kamra’s show were being called in for questioning. A senior police official explained that the banker, who had booked his ticket for the show through the BookMyShow platform, received a summons on his mobile phone on March 29. He was initially asked to appear at the Khar police station as part of the ongoing investigation, as the police sought to record witness statements in connection with the case.
Before formally issuing the notice, the investigating officer reportedly called the banker, requesting his presence at the police station. However, following further developments in the investigation, the authorities later informed him that his appearance was not immediately necessary but could be requested at a later stage if required.
The case against Kamra originated from a parody song he performed during his Mumbai show, which was perceived as a satirical attack on Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Although the song did not explicitly name Shinde, it allegedly contained references suggesting that he was a "traitor" following his defection from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. This led Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel to file a complaint against the comedian, accusing him of defamation. Subsequently, an FIR was registered against Kamra at the Khar police station on March 28.
The controversy surrounding Kamra’s performance intensified after enraged Shiv Sena supporters vandalized the studio where his show had been recorded. The incident further fueled tensions between Kamra’s supporters and political groups, with some arguing that the police action against him was an attempt to suppress satire and free speech.
In response to the legal proceedings, Kamra approached the courts seeking protection from arrest. On March 28, the Madras High Court granted him interim anticipatory bail, providing temporary relief from immediate detention. Justice Sunder Mohan, who presided over the case, issued a notice to the Khar police, directing them to respond to Kamra’s petition. The matter has now been scheduled for further hearing on April 7, where additional legal arguments will be presented regarding the comedian’s alleged offense.
Kamra’s supporters, including fellow comedians, free speech activists, and members of the artistic community, have criticized the actions taken against him, arguing that satire is an essential element of democratic discourse. Meanwhile, political supporters of the Maharashtra government have defended the FIR, asserting that Kamra crossed the line between humor and defamation by directly attacking a sitting Chief Minister.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, Kamra remains vocal about his stance on political satire, using his platform to challenge restrictions on freedom of expression. His latest social media post, offering a free vacation to the banker who was inconvenienced by the police summons, has been interpreted as both an apology and a statement about the broader implications of his case.
