Mon Apr 07 04:09:34 UTC 2025: ## Comedian Kunal Kamra Challenges FIR in Bombay High Court
**Mumbai, April 7, 2025** – Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court to overturn an FIR filed against him by Mumbai police. The FIR alleges that Kamra made a “traitor” jibe at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a recent performance.
Kamra’s plea, submitted on April 5th, argues that the charges violate his fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression, as guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. His lawyer, Meenaz Kakalia, contends the complaints are baseless. The case is scheduled for hearing before Justice Sarang Kotwal on April 21st.
Kamra, a permanent resident of Tamil Nadu, secured interim transit anticipatory bail from the Madras High Court last month. Despite three summons, he has yet to appear before Mumbai police for questioning.
The controversial joke involved a modified version of a Hindi song, where Kamra, without naming Shinde, referred to him as a “gaddar” (traitor) and alluded to his rebellion against former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. The FIR, filed following a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, cites sections 353(1)(b) and 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Penal Code).
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