Kunal Kamra Show Witness was summoned by the police after attending the comedian’s controversial show in the city. The banker was called as a witness following a case filed against Kunal Kamra over his alleged jibes at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, police said on Wednesday.
The Navi Mumbai-based man was later informed by the police that his presence was not required right away, but Kamra apologized on social media for the inconvenience and promised to “schedule your next vacation anywhere you’d like in India.” A media item that stated the banker had to shorten his vacation due to the police summons was also posted by the comedian.
Police refuted allegations on Tuesday that audience members who had seen Kunal Kamra’s performance had been called in to give testimony.
Kunal Kamra Show Witness Summoned: Banker Receives Police Notice After Booking Ticket
According to a senior police official, the banker received a summons on his mobile phone on March 29 after purchasing a ticket for Kamra’s performance using the BookMyShow app.
On March 28, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel filed a complaint at the Khar police station, leading to the filing of a formal charge against Kamra for alleged defamation. According to the source, the police wanted to record witness testimony, so they asked the banker to be present. According to the official, the investigating officer had called the banker and requested that he come to the Khar police station before handing him a notice. However, following some developments in the case, the police called the banker once more and informed him that he was not required to appear right away, adding that he may be called at any time to provide a statement.
However, Kunal Kamra took advantage of media rumors that the banker had to postpone his trip because of the police summons. “I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience my show may have caused you. Kamra wrote on X, “Please email me so that I can arrange your next vacation wherever you’d like in India.”
The sources state that the man had to return to Mumbai on Monday after being scheduled to return from vacation on April 6. The issue started when Kamra sang a parody song at an event in Mumbai that seemed to accuse Shinde, the leader of the Shiv Sena after his uprising against Thackeray’s regime, of betraying the party. However, Shinde was not named in the song.
The studio where the show was recorded was vandalized by irate Shiv Sena activists last month. The comedian was granted temporary anticipatory relief by the Madras High Court on March 28. In addition, Justice Sunder Mohan sent a notice to the Khar police and rescheduled the hearing for April 7.
Conclusion
The Kunal Kamra Show Witness case has sparked discussions about freedom of speech and legal scrutiny. The banker, who attended Kamra’s show and purchased a ticket via BookMyShow, was initially summoned as a witness after a complaint was lodged by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel on March 28. The case revolves around Kamra’s alleged remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, leading to defamation charges and legal proceedings.
While the banker received a summons on March 29, police later informed him that his immediate presence was not required, but he may be called anytime for a statement. This incident has raised questions about the extent of legal action against audience members in such cases. As the investigation unfolds, the case continues to be a focal point of debate on political satire, its legal boundaries, and its implications for performers, spectators, and democratic discourse in India.
