HC issues notice to Sena MLA, cops on Kamra’s plea against FIR

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Mumbai police and Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel on comedian Kunal Kamra’s plea, challenging an FIR lodged against him for allegedly passing a “traitor” jibe at Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.

A division Bench of Justices Sarang Kotwal and SM Modak said it would hear Kamra’s petition on April 16. “Issue notice to the respondents. They shall take instructions and respond to the plea,” the HC said.

The comedian has failed to appear before the Mumbai police for questioning despite three summons. Kamra’s counsel Navroz Seervai informed the Bench that the Madras HC on Monday extended the earlier interim transit anticipatory bail granted to the comedian till April 17. It added that Kamra had also offered to appear for questioning via video conference in light of the dangers and threat to his life, Seervai said.