Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra did not show up before the Mumbai Police on Saturday for questioning in a case registered against him over an alleged ‘traitor’ comment against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. This is the third time Kamra has not heeded the police summons, as per a PTI report citing an official.
The Khar police had issued the summons, requesting Kamra to report on April 5. Earlier, a police team had even gone to his Mahim house after he defied the second notice. The case was registered on a complaint filed by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, who accused Kamra of having made disparaging remarks about Shinde in a comedy show.
Kamra had uploaded a satirical video against Shinde in the backdrop of Shiv Sena party split. Shiv Sena followers allegedly vandalised the studio and the hotel where the video was shot on March 23 night after the release of the video.
EOW Complaint Over Foreign Funding
In another development, the Shiv Sena has also called for an inquiry into funding behind Kamra’s material. On April 3, a complaint was lodged with the Mumbai Police Economic Offences Wing (EOW) calling for a probe into banking transactions suspected of being related to Kamra’s videos.
Citing an ANI report, the EOW confirmed that the complaint calls for an investigation into the money Kamra has possibly received from foreign sources, particularly in the wake of his recent video, Naya Bharat, critical of Deputy CM Shinde.
Three separate FIRs have so far been registered against Kamra at the Khar Police Station. One has been registered by the Mayor of Jalgaon, while two others have been lodged by a businessman and a hotelier who is Nashik-based.
Kamra Apologizes to Audience
With reports coming in that certain audience members attending his performances had received police notices for questioning, Kamra made a public apology on social media.
“I apologize immensely for the trouble caused to you by going to watch my show. Please send me an email so that I may plan your next holiday to wherever you’d like in India,” he told them.
