Reported By Vinod Jagdale
In a major breakthrough, the Bombay High Court has extended interim protection from arrest to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra in relation to a case filed by the Khar Police. The case stems from a complaint about his objectionable comments. The court ruled as it accepted Kamra’s petition for quashing the FIR.
A division bench of Justice Sarang Kotwal and Justice M.S. Modak held that the case itself would not be quashed at this juncture but the court was willing to hear Kamra’s plea. Granting the petition, the bench made it clear that no coercive steps would be taken against the comedian until the case is heard in full.
Kamra Allowed To Record Statement In Chennai
Kamra, through his lawyer has requested that his statement to be recorded in Chennai as he faced the threat of harm to life if he appeared before the court in Mumbai. The High Court did take cognizance of the fear expressed and ordered the Khar Police to get in touch with their Chennai counterparts to get Kamra’s statement recorded.
This order was passed by Justice Sarang Kotwal and Justice M.S. Modak. The court said that Kamra cannot be arrested until the final order on his petition is given. Moreover, if in the meantime a chargesheet is presented, the lower court has been directed not to proceed with any case on the basis of it.
Although the court has declined the to quash the charges, it prevented Kamra from being arrested immediately, giving him a window of protection as the legal process takes its course. It has also ensured that Kamra would not face immediate arrest, providing him with a window of security as the legal proceedings unfold.
