A banker from Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, had to truncate his 17-day vacation in Tamil Nadu and Kerala following a call by Mumbai Police for interrogation in a case of defamation against comedian Kunal Kamra, according to The Times of India.
The banker, who was to report on April 6, got a call from the police on March 28 and then an official notice by WhatsApp the very next day. The notice asked him to report for questioning on March 30 under Section 179 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). He was worried over the constant calls and the officer’s doubts over his being out of town and so decided to come back early to prevent further hassle.
“I told the police that I had purchased a ticket for the show on-line and had evidence of having booked it. Still, they doubted that I might have edited the video shot by Kamra. Why would the comedian offer me his show’s footage to edit?” he was quoted as saying.
Police Denies Summoning Audience Members
On April 2, Mumbai Police made it clear that no audience members of Kamra’s show had been served summons. A senior officer confirmed that no such notices had been issued, contrary to previous reports.
Kunal Kamra Controversy
Kamra’s new comedy special, ‘Naya Bharat,’ which was uploaded on YouTube on March 24, triggered outrage among workers of Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. The reason for the controversy was a song in which Kamra purportedly called Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, a “traitor.” Party workers retaliated by vandalizing the venue where the show was filmed.
Three complaints have been lodged against Kamra regarding the special. Yet, the comedian has been granted interim protection against arrest by the Madras High Court.
The police, meanwhile, are recording statements from the cameraperson who shot the special and other crew members on the spot when the recording took place. Officials have promised to provide Kamra’s security when he goes in for questioning.
