
Kunal Kamra case: Bombay High Court seeks response from Maharashtra Government on Kamra’s petition to quash FIR
The Hindu
Bombay High Court asks Maharashtra Government to respond to Kunal Kamra's petition seeking FIR quashing, hearing on April 16.
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday (April 8, 2025) asked the Maharashtra Government to respond to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra’s petition seeking the quashing of the FIR lodged against him by the Khar Police Station in Mumbai.
The FIR was lodged against him based on a satirical video for using the term ‘gaddar’ (traitor) remark made in his recent show that is alleged to be offensive and was directed at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
A Division Bench of Justices Sarang Kotwal and S.M. Modak issued a formal notice to the State and the complainants in the case and kept the matter for a detailed hearing on April 16, 2025, at 2.30 pm.
The Bench asked senior advocate Navroz Seervai, representing Mr. Kamra, about the interim protection given to him by the Madras High Court. Mr. Seervai responded, “The Madras High Court has extended interim protection till April 17, but we are concerned about the quashing of the FIR. It would be irresponsible for me to go on.”
“My client has thrice offered to give a statement over video conferencing in the light of danger he faces. It does seem the authorities are not keeping on recording the statement. They keep insisting on his physical presence over here,” said Mr. Seervai.
“On no less than three occasions, we have offered to cooperate on video conferencing. This is not some murder case, it is a comedy show, a video of which is available with them. Milords must consider the death threats received by my client.
No country for comedy: On Kunal Kamra and Maharashtra

Four persons were killed and three others sustained injuries in a fire that broke out in a five-storey building housing several manufacturing units in Rohini Sector 5, the police said on Wednesday. Sixteen fire tenders were rushed to the spot after the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) received a call about the blaze at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday. However, due to the combustible material stored in the building, including plastic and clothes, and the narrow lanes leading up to it, which prevented fire engines that ran out of water from giving way to other rescue vehicles, it took the DFS over 12 hours to douse the flames.