Kunal Kamra row: HC grants interim protection from arrest to comedian in 'traitor' joke case

NEW DELHI: Bombay high court on Wednesday provided interim relief from arrest to comedian Kunal Kamra in the "traitor" joke case.
"Arguments are concluded for interim relief seeking stay of investigation into the FIR lodged by the Khar police. Reserve for orders. In the meantime as agreed by public prosecutor summons were issued under 35 (3) of BNSS which specifically refers to notice being issued for recording of statement of accused where arrest of person is not required. In that background the question of arresting (Kamra) in CR number 194/2025 of Khar poice doesn’t arise.. Till then petitioner shall not be arrested," the court said.
This follows the hearing when HC issued notices to the Mumbai Police and Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel in response to a petition by Kamra challenging an FIR filed against him for allegedly referring to Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde as a "traitor" during a stand-up act. The court had then also granted interim protection to Kamra until April 16.
The FIR, initially registered as a zero FIR by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel under charges of public mischief and defamation, was later transferred to Khar police station.
Although Kamra did not directly name Shinde in satirical performance, Shiv Sena workers allege he referred to the deputy CM as a "traitor," referencing the party split. In response, a group of party workers vandalized Mumbai's Habitat studio, where Kamra had performed. Twelve individuals were arrested for the incident and later granted bail. Kamra has also reported receiving death threats following the controversy.