Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has approached the Madras High Court seeking transit anticipatory bail after multiple FIRs were filed against him for allegedly making objectionable remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister. The matter was mentioned before Justice Sunder Mohan, who permitted the matter to be heard as a lunch motion on Friday.
According to arguments made by Kamra’s counsel before the court, the comedian is a permanent resident of Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu, thereby making him eligible to file a transit anticipatory bail petition in the state. The counsel further informed the court that Kamra has been receiving death threats since the controversial stand-up performance.
The comedian’s legal team has sought protection from immediate arrest so that he can approach the appropriate jurisdictional court where the FIRs have been registered to seek regular anticipatory bail.
The FIRs were reportedly filed following backlash over portions of Kamra’s recent act, where he allegedly made derogatory comments about the Maharashtra Deputy CM. The charges are expected to include criminal defamation and provisions related to promoting enmity, though official details of the FIRs are awaited.
The development has reignited the broader debate around freedom of speech, satire, and the increasing legal challenges faced by artists in India.
Source: LiveLaw
