Kunal Kamra moves Bombay HC to quash cases over Eknath Shinde jokes

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has moved the Bombay High Court, seeking the dismissal of cases filed against him over jokes aimed at Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Previously, the Madras High Court granted Kamra interim protection from arrest, which is set to expire today. He has so far skipped three summons issued by the Mumbai Police.

The controversy began after a clip from one of Kamra’s recent shows at Mumbai’s Habitat Studio went viral. During the performance, he sang a parody of the Bollywood song Bholi Si Surat from Dil To Pagal Hai, using lyrics that mocked Eknath Shinde and labeled him a "gaddar" (traitor). Shinde had led a rebellion in 2022 that split the Shiv Sena and brought down the Uddhav Thackeray-led government. Thackeray and his supporters have frequently used the term “gaddar” to describe Shinde.

Following Kamra’s performance, Shinde’s supporters vandalized the Habitat Studio, a well-known spot for stand-up acts. The venue later shut down, clarifying that it does not control performers' content. The next day, civic authorities partially demolished the studio, citing building code violations — but the timing of the action has fueled speculation that it was linked to the backlash over Kamra’s act.