Kamra's legal counsel, senior advocate Navroz Seervai, mentioned the matter before a division bench led by Justice Sarang Kotwal, which agreed to hear the plea on Tuesday. The comedian, currently residing in Tamil Nadu, had previously been granted interim anticipatory bail by the Madras High Court in connection with the same case; this protection is set to expire today.
The controversy stems from a satirical performance in which Kamra allegedly referred to Shinde as a "traitor" , alluding to Shinde's political realignment from the Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray. The performance, shared on Kamra's social media platforms, drew sharp reactions from members of Shinde's Shiv Sena faction.
Following the video's circulation, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel filed a complaint leading to the registration of a Zero FIR under Sections 353 and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita , which pertain to statements conducing to public mischief and defamation, respectively. This FIR was subsequently transferred to Khar police station in Mumbai for further investigation.
In response to Kamra's remarks, a group of Shiv Sena workers allegedly vandalized the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai's Khar area, where the performance had been recorded. The club announced a temporary closure, citing concerns for safety and expressing a need to reassess how to provide a platform for free expression without jeopardizing their property.
Political figures have weighed in on the incident. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned Kamra's remarks, emphasizing that while freedom of expression is respected, reckless statements would not be tolerated. Fadnavis highlighted that Kamra has a history of making low-level comments about prominent figures, including the Prime Minister and the judiciary.
Conversely, former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray defended Kamra, asserting that the comedian's statements reflected the truth. Thackeray's support underscores the ongoing political tensions between different factions of the Shiv Sena.