Mumbai cops issue summons to Kunal Kamra over 'traitor' joke on Eknath Shinde

NEW DELHI: The Khar Police has issued a summons to comedian Kunal Kamra, directing him to appear before the investigating officer at 11 am today, news agency ANI reported on Tuesday.

Mumbai Police stated that the MIDC police had initially registered an FIR against Kamra over remarks made during a stand-up comedy show, which was later transferred to Khar police for further investigation.
Kamra’s remarks, made in a show uploaded on social media, sparked controversy as he referred to terms like "gaddar" (traitor) and "baap chori" (stealing the father), commonly used by Shiv Sena (UBT) against Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
Following the uproar, police registered an FIR based on a complaint from Shiv Sena, and the BMC demolished a shed at the city hotel where the show was recorded. Additionally, 12 Shiv Sainiks were arrested for vandalizing the studio on Sunday night.
The studio later announced its closure, stating it would remain shut until it could "provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy."
Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, who filed the complaint, demanded that Kamra issue an apology within two days or face consequences, stating, "he won’t be allowed to move freely in Mumbai." Police indicated they would issue a notice to Kamra, who is currently in Pondicherry.
Kamra’s show, recorded on February 2 and uploaded on Sunday, led to Shiv Sena members ransacking the venue. The arrested Shiv Sainiks were produced before the Bandra court on Monday and released on bail with a surety of Rs 15,000 each. Meanwhile, Wagle Estate police in Thane registered a non-cognisable offence against Kamra on Monday.
DCP (Zone IX) Dikshit Gedam confirmed that two cases had been registered at Khar police station. "The first FIR is against the comedian for derogatory comments. The second is against the people who ransacked the hotel. Further investigation is on."
The FIR, initially lodged at MIDC police station in Andheri East before being transferred to Khar, accuses Kamra of mocking Shinde in his performance. MLA Murji Patel stated, "The video showed Kamra using the word 'gaddar' (traitor) to refer to the Maharashtra deputy CM."
Khar police clarified that they had not arrested Kamra, as the charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita—related to statements causing public mischief and defamation—carry a maximum punishment of less than seven years, meaning an immediate arrest is not mandatory. Kamra will be called for questioning and his statement will be recorded.
Among the 12 Shiv Sainiks arrested for vandalism was party functionary Rahool Kanal. Additionally, the non-cognizable offence in Thane alleged that Kamra performed a satirical song about Dy CM Shinde, according to police. This complaint was filed by Rupesh Mishra, a Yuva Sena member from Wagle Estate.
Previously, Habitat had hosted controversial episodes of "India’s Got Latent," leading to multiple show cancellations. On Monday, the studio issued a statement on Instagram: "We invite all artists, audience, and stakeholders to discuss and share their views freely and request your guidance so that we also respect the performers' rights. We are shocked, worried, and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us. Artists are solely responsible for their views and creative choices.
"We have never been involved in the content performed by any artist, but the recent events have made us rethink about how we get blamed and targeted every time, almost like we are a proxy for the performer. We urge constructive conversations, not destruction, to address disagreements. We do not support hate or harm of any kind. Violence and destruction undermine the very spirit of art and dialogue," the statement read further.