Kunal Kamra’s ‘Naya Bharat’ show audience summoned by Mumbai Police – What does law say?

Kunal Kamra-Eknath Shinde Row: Audience who attended Kunal Kamra;’s ‘Naya Bharat’ show in Habitat Studio at Mumbai’s Unicontinental Hotel, have now been summoned by Mumbai Police for questioning. The audience were part of the show where Kunal Kamra ostensibly criticised Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

According to a report by ToI, the summoning of the audience members was not MANDATORY, as the Mumbai police had video evidence of the alleged parody of Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, as sung by Kunal Kamra.

The Mumbai Police had visited a Mahim residence on Monday, where the comedian resided 10 years ago. Following the unsuccesful visit, Kunal Kamra had quipped, that the Mumbai Police’s efforts were ‘waste of time’.

Social media users have also hit out at ticket booking platforms for sharing information of the audience who attended Kunal Kamra’s show. Outrage oured on social media as several rapped ticket booking platforms for providing audience information to Mumbai Police, and flagged the need to inputs phone number, email id for purchasing a ticket.

Kunal Kamra’s Audience Summoned: What Does Law Say?

Mumbai Police have begun recording statements from attendees of comedian Kunal Kamra’s February 2 show, Naya Bharat, at Habitat Studio, as part of their investigation into his alleged remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Notices were issued to audience members under Section 179 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which permits police to summon witnesses for questioning.

Former IPS officer and lawyer YP Singh clarified to Times of India that while the Mumbai police are within their rights to summon one or two attendees to record witness statements, it is not mandatory since electronic evidence, such as video recordings, already exists.

He also noted that the case lacks severity as the performance was within the bounds of freedom of speech.

Shiv Sena’s ‘Not a Threat’ For Kunal Kamra

Shiv Sena leader Rahool Kanal, a close associate of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, declared that Kunal Kamra will receive a ‘Shiv Sena styled’ welcome, when the comedian visits Mumbai.

When asked if it threatened the comedian, the Shiv Sena Yuva Sena general secretary replied, “It’s not a threat.”

Rahool Kanal was earlier arrested and granted bail within hours for vandalising Mumbai’s Habitat studio.

Kunal Kamra’s Step-by-Step Satire on ‘How to kill an Artist Democratically’

Kunal Kamra on Tuesday shared a satirical post titled “How to Kill an Artist Democratically,” criticising what he described as systematic efforts to silence dissenting artists.

Amid controversy over his parody targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Kunal Kamra outlined a step-by-step “playbook” for suppressing artistic expression.

Kamra highlighted tactics such as orchestrated outrage to deter brands, drying up private gigs, and intimidating venues, culminating in turning art into a crime scene by summoning audiences for questioning.

Kamra argued that such measures leave artists with only two choices: compromising their integrity or fading into silence, labelling this strategy as a “silencing machine.”

Kunal Kamra-Eknath Shinde Controversy: A Recap

Kunal Kamra found himself embroiled in controversy after performing a satirical song that allegedly mocked Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The performance, which alluded to Shinde as a “Gaddar” without explicitly naming the politician, sparked violent protests from Eknath Shinde’s supporters, leading to vandalism at the Mumbai venue.

Kunal Kamra now faces multiple police complaints and summonses, with charges including defamation and public mischief. Kunal Kamra, a resident of Villupuram town in Tamil Nadu, has been granted anticipatory bail from the Madras High Court till 7 April.

Kunal Kamra-Eknath Shinde Row: Audience who attended Kunal Kamra;’s ‘Naya Bharat’ show in Habitat Studio at Mumbai’s Unicontinental Hotel, have now been summoned by Mumbai Police for questioning. The audience were part of the show where Kunal Kamra ostensibly criticised Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

According to a report by ToI, the summoning of the audience members was not MANDATORY, as the Mumbai police had video evidence of the alleged parody of Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, as sung by Kunal Kamra.

The Mumbai Police had visited a Mahim residence on Monday, where the comedian resided 10 years ago. Following the unsuccesful visit, Kunal Kamra had quipped, that the Mumbai Police’s efforts were ‘waste of time’.

Social media users have also hit out at ticket booking platforms for sharing information of the audience who attended Kunal Kamra’s show. Outrage oured on social media as several rapped ticket booking platforms for providing audience information to Mumbai Police, and flagged the need to inputs phone number, email id for purchasing a ticket.

Kunal Kamra’s Audience Summoned: What Does Law Say?

Mumbai Police have begun recording statements from attendees of comedian Kunal Kamra’s February 2 show, Naya Bharat, at Habitat Studio, as part of their investigation into his alleged remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Notices were issued to audience members under Section 179 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which permits police to summon witnesses for questioning.

Former IPS officer and lawyer YP Singh clarified to Times of India that while the Mumbai police are within their rights to summon one or two attendees to record witness statements, it is not mandatory since electronic evidence, such as video recordings, already exists.

He also noted that the case lacks severity as the performance was within the bounds of freedom of speech.

Shiv Sena’s ‘Not a Threat’ For Kunal Kamra

Shiv Sena leader Rahool Kanal, a close associate of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, declared that Kunal Kamra will receive a ‘Shiv Sena styled’ welcome, when the comedian visits Mumbai.

When asked if it threatened the comedian, the Shiv Sena Yuva Sena general secretary replied, “It’s not a threat.”

Rahool Kanal was earlier arrested and granted bail within hours for vandalising Mumbai’s Habitat studio.

Kunal Kamra’s Step-by-Step Satire on ‘How to kill an Artist Democratically’

Kunal Kamra on Tuesday shared a satirical post titled “How to Kill an Artist Democratically,” criticising what he described as systematic efforts to silence dissenting artists.

Amid controversy over his parody targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Kunal Kamra outlined a step-by-step “playbook” for suppressing artistic expression.

Kamra highlighted tactics such as orchestrated outrage to deter brands, drying up private gigs, and intimidating venues, culminating in turning art into a crime scene by summoning audiences for questioning.

Kamra argued that such measures leave artists with only two choices: compromising their integrity or fading into silence, labelling this strategy as a “silencing machine.”

Kunal Kamra-Eknath Shinde Controversy: A Recap

Kunal Kamra found himself embroiled in controversy after performing a satirical song that allegedly mocked Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The performance, which alluded to Shinde as a “Gaddar” without explicitly naming the politician, sparked violent protests from Eknath Shinde’s supporters, leading to vandalism at the Mumbai venue.

Kunal Kamra now faces multiple police complaints and summonses, with charges including defamation and public mischief. Kunal Kamra, a resident of Villupuram town in Tamil Nadu, has been granted anticipatory bail from the Madras High Court till 7 April.