Kunal Kamra’s interim anticipatory bail extended to April 17 amid multiple FIRs
Justice Sunder Mohan, who had earlier granted Kamra interim protection on March 28, said, “Interim protection granted will continue. In the meantime, the petitioner should take steps to approach the appropriate court.”
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Kamra had moved the High Court with a transit anticipatory bail plea, citing his residence in Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, since 2021 and the immediate threat of arrest if he were to travel to Mumbai to seek relief from a court there. The Madras High Court on Monday extended the interim anticipatory bail granted to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra until April 17, offering continued protection against arrest in connection with multiple FIRs filed in Mumbai over his alleged remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Justice Sunder Mohan, who had earlier granted Kamra interim protection on March 28, said, “Interim protection granted will continue. In the meantime, the petitioner should take steps to approach the appropriate court.”
Kamra had moved the High Court with a transit anticipatory bail plea, citing his residence in Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, since 2021 and the immediate threat of arrest if he were to travel to Mumbai to seek relief from a court there. He submitted that he was facing physical threats and targeted hostility.
Appearing for Kamra, advocate V Suresh, assisted by advocate S Tanvi, informed the court that three additional FIRs had been filed after the first case and that private notice to the Mumbai police (Khar police station) had been duly served. He also told the court that the police had visited Kamra’s family home in Mumbai, disturbing his aged parents, and had summoned members of the audience who had attended Kamra’s comedy show.
The judge took note of the submissions and instructed the High Court Registry to verify whether court notice had been served to the Khar police and to print their name in the cause list for the next hearing. The matter has been posted for further hearing on April 17.
The controversy arose after Kamra performed his latest comedy special, “Naya Bharat”, at the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, Mumbai, in February 2025. The show included parody songs and satirical remarks, which, according to Shiv Sena MLA Muraji Patel, were defamatory towards Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
Though Kamra did not mention Shinde by name, Sena party workers alleged he had called him a “traitor”, referencing Shinde’s 2022 defection from Shiv Sena that led to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray government.
On February 23, a video of the performance was uploaded to Kamra’s YouTube channel. That same evening, political activists vandalised the Habitat Studio. A complaint was filed, and the Khar Police registered a Zero FIR, invoking Sections 353(1)(b), 353(2), which deal with public mischief, and 356(2), which deals with defamation, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Kamra told the court that though born in Mumbai, he relocated to Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu in February 2021 to lead a quieter life. He travels across India for performances, but now fears for his life and liberty due to death threats, including statements from political leaders and anonymous callers.
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