On Tuesday, April 8, comedian Kunal Kamra filed a petition with the Bombay High Court to have the FIR against him for making traitor remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde quashed. Originally set for hearing on April 21, the petition was submitted last week. However, the court took up the case on April 8 after Kamra's attorneys requested an urgent hearing on April 7. On behalf of Kunal Kamra, Adv. Navroz Seervai requested that the FIR be quashed and that the state be given time to avoid making a physical appearance. He said that Kamra had offered several times to use video conversations to record his statement.
Adv. Navroz Seervai said, “He has offered to record his statement via video call on three separate occasions. Despite this, the police are insisting on his absolute physical presence. Kamra is not accused of any serious offence. This matter pertains to a comedy show, and the police already possess a video recording of the entire event.” He also told the court how people were giving Kunal Kamra death threats for calling Deputy CM Eknath Shinde a gaddar in his show Naya Bharat. He said, given the nature of the case, his presence should not be mandatory. He stated, “This is not a case involving murder or any heinous crime.” His appeal to appear via video call will be considered by the court in the next hearing, reported IANS.
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Last week Mumbai Police said that Stand-up comic Kunal Kamra will be given police protection once he reaches Mumbai. Mumbai police made this statement as the comedian got many threats from Shiv Sena leaders, especially from Shiv Sena office-bearer Rahool Kanal. Senior Inspector at Khar Police Station, Sanjeev Dhumal, said, “Since Kamra is an accused in a case that is registered at Khar Police Station, we will have to provide him protection,” reported Free Press Journal. Many FIRs were registered against Kunal Kamra for his traitor remark.