Kunal Kamra Controversy: Maharashtra Police Summons Attendees Over Comments on Eknath Shinde

According to the latest development in the Kunal Kamra controversy, the Maharashtra Police has served notices to people who attended the comedian’s show ‘Naya Bharat’ on Feb 2 at Habitat Studio, states a News18 report.The summons have been issued under CRPC Section 179, authorizing the police to bring in the witnesses and interrogate them, as the authorities are looking into Kamra's purported comments regarding Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during the program.YP Singh, a former IPS officer turned lawyer, mentioned that the police are within their rights to call one or two attendees from the show and record their statements as witnesses. However, since the video evidence is available in this case, he also stressed that summoning the attendees was not necessary.. At the same time, he highlighted that as the show was performed within the bounds of freedom of speech, the case lacks severity..Meanwhile, on Monday, Khar Police knocked on the doors of Kamra’s residence. Reacting on the situation, Kamra on his X wrote - “It was a waste of time". “Going to an address where I haven’t lived for the last 10 Years is a waste of your time & public resources," he continued.Following his controversial comments on Eknath Shinde during a live show, comedian Kunal Kamra received notices on March 25 and 26 to appear at Khar police station. However, he didn’t show up, as the Madras High Court granted him interim bail until April 7.A police officer from Khar stated that no further notices have been given to Kamra, and neither he nor his lawyer has reached out to the police.Kamra, during one of his recent shows, took a dig at Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, calling him a “gaddar" (traitor). He reportedly mentioned the 2022 Maharashtra political crisis, where Shinde was instrumental in the downfall of Uddhav Thackeray’s government. The program titled ‘Naya Bharat,’ which was filmed in February, was released on Kamra’s YouTube channel on March 23, sparking significant backlash from Shiv Sena supporters. Shiv Sena officials criticized his comments and called for a public apology from him.