Standup comedian Kunal Kamra (File Image)
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Monday extended the interim protection against arrest granted to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamara until April 17. This protection is in connection with FIRs registered against him for his alleged remarks against the Maharashtra deputy chief minister.
“Interim protection granted will continue. In the meantime, the petitioner should take steps to approach the appropriate court,” Justice Sunder Mohan said. On March 28, the court granted interim anticipatory bail to the comedian, a resident of Villupuram, until April 7.
When the plea came up for hearing on Monday, counsel for the petitioner, V Suresh, submitted that proof of serving private notice to Mumbai police was filed. “Three more FIRs have been registered. The hostility towards the petitioner is still continuing. They (Mumbai police) have gone to his house and disturbed his aged parents. Even people who attended the show were summoned,” Suresh said.
Recording the submissions, the judge directed the registry to verify if private notice was served to Mumbai police. The court also directed the registry to print the name of Mumbai police in the cause list.
According to the petitioner, the allegation against him was that he made certain remarks in a stand-up comedy show titled ‘Naya Bharat’ about the deputy chief minister. He further submitted that the allegation does not warrant custodial interrogation and that he was unable to seek anticipatory bail in Maharashtra. Counsel for the petitioner submitted that a life threat was made against him by partymen and the ministers.
Although the FIR was registered in Khar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, the petitioner is seeking anticipatory bail from this court as he resides within the jurisdiction of this court and fears imminent arrest at the hands of Mumbai police if he were to travel to Mumbai and seek regular anticipatory bail.
