Madras High Court Grants Interim Anticipatory Bail to Comedian Kunal Kamra

The Madras High Court has granted interim anticipatory bail to stand-up comic Kunal Kamra, who is facing an FIR in Mumbai over remarks allegedly insulting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

A Zero FIR was registered against Kamra under Sections 353(1)(b), 353(2) [Public Mischief], and 356(2) [Defamation] of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

However, due to threats from political party workers, he was unable to seek legal protection from courts in Maharashtra.

Thereafter, Kamra approached the Madras High Court, which observed that the Supreme Court has upheld satire & parody as part of free speech. The court further granted anticipatory bail till April 7.