Mumbai cops issue summons to Kunal Kamra over ‘traitor’ joke on Eknath Shinde | Mumbai News

NEW DELHI: The Khar Police has issued a summons to comic Kunal Kamra, directing him to seem earlier than the investigating officer at 11 am at present, information company ANI reported on Tuesday.

Mumbai Police acknowledged that the MIDC police had initially registered an FIR towards Kamra over remarks made throughout a stand-up comedy present, which was later transferred to Khar police for additional investigation.
Kamra’s remarks, made in a present uploaded on social media, sparked controversy as he referred to phrases like “gaddar” (traitor) and “baap chori” (stealing the daddy), generally utilized by Shiv Sena (UBT) towards Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
Following the uproar, police registered an FIR based mostly on a criticism from Shiv Sena, and the BMC demolished a shed on the metropolis lodge the place the present was recorded. Additionally, 12 Shiv Sainiks had been arrested for vandalizing the studio on Sunday evening.
The studio later introduced its closure, stating it will stay shut till it may “provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy.”
Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, who filed the criticism, demanded that Kamra issue an apology inside two days or face penalties, stating, “he won’t be allowed to move freely in Mumbai.” Police indicated they might issue a discover to Kamra, who’s at the moment in Pondicherry.
Kamra’s present, recorded on February 2 and uploaded on Sunday, led to Shiv Sena members ransacking the venue. The arrested Shiv Sainiks had been produced earlier than the Bandra courtroom on Monday and launched on bail with a surety of Rs 15,000 every. Meanwhile, Wagle Estate police in Thane registered a non-cognisable offence towards Kamra on Monday.
DCP (Zone IX) Dikshit Gedam confirmed that two circumstances 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 earlier than being transferred to Khar, accuses Kamra of mocking Shinde in his efficiency. MLA Murji Patel acknowledged, “The video showed Kamra using the word ‘gaddar’ (traitor) to refer to the Maharashtra deputy CM.”
Khar police clarified that they’d not arrested Kamra, as the fees underneath the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita—associated to statements inflicting public mischief and defamation—carry a most punishment of lower than seven years, which means an instantaneous arrest will not be obligatory. Kamra will likely be known as for questioning and his assertion will likely be recorded.
Among the 12 Shiv Sainiks arrested for vandalism was celebration functionary Rahool Kanal. Additionally, the non-cognizable offence in Thane alleged that Kamra carried out a satirical tune about Dy CM Shinde, in accordance to police. This criticism was filed by Rupesh Mishra, a Yuva Sena member from Wagle Estate.
Previously, Habitat had hosted controversial episodes of “India’s Got Latent,” main to a number of present cancellations. On Monday, the studio issued an announcement 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 by no means been concerned within the content material carried out by any artist, however the latest occasions have made us rethink about how we get blamed and focused each time, virtually like we’re a proxy for the performer. We urge constructive conversations, not destruction, to handle disagreements. We don’t assist hate or hurt of any form. Violence and destruction undermine the very spirit of artwork and dialogue,” the assertion learn additional.