Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Apr 5: Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has been served a third summons by the Khar Police in Mumbai, directing him to appear for questioning on Saturday in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged derogatory remarks made during a comedy show.

The summons comes after Kamra failed to respond to two earlier notices issued by the police. The case pertains to a satirical comment made by Kamra during a performance at the Habitat Comedy Club, where he altered lyrics from the hit Bollywood song ‘Meri Nazar Se Tum Dekho’, allegedly taking a veiled dig at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Kamra’s remarks, seen in the context of the 2022 political turmoil in Maharashtra which led to the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray-led government, sparked strong reactions. Shiv Sena workers, enraged by the video that went public on March 23, vandalised the Unicontinental Hotel in Khar — the venue where the video was filmed. Twelve Shinde supporters were arrested in connection with the vandalism but were later released on bail.

The comedian, who claims to have prior outstation commitments, had sought time till April 2 to appear for questioning — a request that was not accepted by the police. His lawyer, V Suresh, also raised concerns over Kamra’s safety, alleging that the comedian had received threats from certain cabinet ministers in Maharashtra.

Khar police have already registered two FIRs against Kamra for his controversial comments, with three additional FIRs from other districts now consolidated into the ongoing investigation.

While Kamra has been granted interim protection from arrest by the Madras High Court till April 7, the police maintain that he is currently not in contact with the Khar police station. The latest summons suggest that authorities are pressing ahead with the investigation despite Kamra’s earlier non-compliance.