Thu May 01 02:38:32 UTC 2025: ## Bombay High Court Dismisses PIL Targeting Comedian Kunal Kamra Over Social Media Posts

**Mumbai, May 1, 2025** – The Bombay High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Maharashtra MLA Kiran Samant against comedian Kunal Kamra and others, alleging misuse of social media. The PIL, which also named the Government of India and Google, claimed Kamra’s content was contemptuous of the judiciary and threatened public order.

Samant cited specific instances of Kamra’s tweets and YouTube videos, including a video titled “Naya Bharat A Comedy Special” which garnered 12.5 million views, alleging they contained derogatory remarks about the judiciary and other institutions. He argued that Kamra’s actions constituted a misuse of social media, and called for stricter enforcement of the IT Act, 2000 and Intermediary Guidelines (2021).

The High Court’s Division Bench, however, questioned the selective targeting of Kamra, noting that many others criticize the judiciary. The judges argued that determining what constitutes “misuse” of social media is subjective and that existing laws and the Supreme Court are the appropriate channels for addressing such concerns. They pointed out that the petition was overly broad and lacked specificity, ultimately dismissing the plea while suggesting Samant utilize existing legal avenues to address specific instances of social media misuse. The court also declined to order the formation of a Social Media Vigilance Committee, deeming it a matter of policy rather than judicial purview.

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