Standup comedian Kunal Kamra has approached the Madras High Court for transit anticipatory bail after he has been referred to as madras in several FIRs in Maharashtra. The FIRs arise from his alleged comments about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister which some have called derogatory. Kamra now hopes to get protection from arrest as he gets ready to fight the charges.
Kamra is known for his sharp political satire and for making controversial statements. In an irony, Shiv Sena MLA Muraji Patel, this time, filed a Zero FIR against him under Sections 353(1)(b), 353 (2) [Public Mischief] and 356 (2) [Defamation] of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Later, the case was transferred to Khar Police Station in Mumbai.
Kamra says that the plea is a case that the Madras High Court has jurisdiction over, given his compatriot status of being a permanent resident in Villupuram in Tamil Nadu. Live Law reports that the case of his was mentioned urgently before Justice Sunder Mohan on Friday, March 28.
Kamra’s legal troubles relegate her to the scene of frenzied debates in India over freedom of speech concerning political satire and comedy. His supporters say his comments do not break the free speech rules but critics say they were inappropriate and defamatory.
Kunal Kamra, with multiple FIRs in his name, has asked for transit bail to prevent his immediate arrest and seek transit bail, which has been enough time to contact the appropriate court in Maharashtra to seek regular anticipatory bail. It now falls on what is likely to be closely watched: the limits of satire and the legal reach of concerns for political comment in India.
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