Responding to a report that a banker who attended Kunal Kamra’s controversial show in the city was summoned as a witness, the comedian took to social media to express regret over the inconvenience caused to him and offered to “schedule your next vacation anywhere you’d like in India.” The comedian also shared a media report stating that the banker had to cut short his holiday following the police summons.
A summons was sent to the banker, who had booked a ticket for Kamra’s show through the BookMyShow app, on his mobile phone on March 29, a senior police official said. An FIR was registered against Kamra for alleged defamation at the Khar police station on March 28 based on a complaint filed by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel.
The banker was asked to appear as the police wanted to record statements from witnesses, the official said. Before issuing the notice, the investigating officer had called the banker and requested him to visit the Khar police station, the official added.However, following certain developments in the case, the police later informed the banker that his appearance was not immediately required but could be requested at a later stage if necessary.
Kamra, meanwhile, responded to media reports about the banker having to cut short his vacation due to the police summons. “I am deeply sorry for the inconvenience that attending my show has caused you. Please email me so that I can schedule your next vacation anywhere you’d like in India,” Kamra posted on X. According to reports, the banker, who was originally scheduled to return from vacation on April 6, had to come back to Mumbai on Monday.
The case stems from a parody song performed by Kamra at a Mumbai show, which appeared to target Shinde — who now heads the Shiv Sena after his rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray — and label him a traitor. However, the song did not explicitly mention Shinde’s name. Last month, enraged Shiv Sena activists vandalised the studio where the show had been recorded. On March 28, the Madras High Court granted interim anticipatory bail to Kamra.