Kunal Kamra case: Court issues fresh summons to Kunal Kamra

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has landed in trouble for his controversial remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde without naming him. Mumbai’s Khar police sent a second summons on Wednesday, rejecting the demand for his adjournment and directing him to appear for questioning.

Kunal Kamra was summoned by Khar police and asked to appear at 11 am on Tuesday, but Kamra did not appear and asked for a week’s time to appear. The police rejected his demand and issued a fresh summons. The Khar police questioned several people associated with Habitat Studios and recorded their statements. Police are questioning people in connection with the incident.

Kamra, who did not appear before the police for questioning on Tuesday, told IANS over phone that he was out of Mumbai and hence could not appear before the police. He said he needed a week’s time to come to Mumbai and appear before the police.

The Khar police had summoned Kamra on Tuesday itself. When he was not found at home, he was also sent a summon on WhatsApp. He was asked to appear before the investigating officer at 11 am. A Khar police team also visited his house and handed over a copy of the summons to his parents.

Earlier, Kunal Kamra, in a post on Instagram on Monday, condemned the vandalism at Habitat Club and said that he will not apologise for his remarks. The comedian had written in an Instagram post, “Habitat is just a platform. There is a place for all kinds of shows. Habitat (or any other venue) is not responsible for my comedy, nor does it have any control over what I say or do. No political party does that.”

“Attacking an event venue for a comedian’s words is as stupid as overturning a truck carrying tomatoes because you didn’t like the butter chicken served.”

“Our right to freedom of speech and expression should not be used only to flatter the powerful and rich, even if today’s media leads us to believe otherwise,” Kamra had said. I am ready to cooperate with the police and the court for any legal action taken against me.”