'Traitor' jibe: Bombay HC grants protection to Kunal Kamra till April 16, issues notice to police, Shiv Sena MLA on comedian's plea against FIR

NEW DELHI: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday issued notices to the Mumbai police and Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel over a plea filed by comedian Kunal Kamra, challenging an FIR registered against him for allegedly calling Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde a "traitor" during a stand-up performance. The High Court has also granted protection to Kamra until April 16.A division bench of Justices Sarang Kotwal and S M Modak said the matter would be heard on April 16.“Issue notice to the respondents. They shall take instructions and respond to the plea,” the court said.The FIR was filed by Khar police based on a complaint from MLA Murji Patel.Kamra’s counsel Navroz Seervai informed the court that the Madras High Court had extended the comedian’s interim transit anticipatory bail till April 17.The senior advocate argued that Kamra, who has been residing in Tamil Nadu since 2021, had offered on three occasions to appear before police via video conference due to threats to his life, but the Mumbai police allegedly insisted on bringing him in person.“This is not a case of murder. It’s an FIR arising from a stand-up comedy act. Kamra is willing to cooperate, but via video conferencing,” Seervai said.The bench said it would examine all issues — including Kamra’s safety concerns and the legality of the FIR — during the next hearing.The case highlights growing concerns around freedom of expression in the comedy space and comes amid increasing scrutiny of artists for political content.