Kunal Kamra Skips Third Mumbai Police Summons In Case Over ‘Traitor’ Remark On Eknath Shinde

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on Saturday did not appear before the Mumbai Police in connection with a case filed against him for allegedly referring to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a "traitor," according to an official quoted by PTI.

This marks the third time Kamra has failed to respond to police summons. The case was registered based on a complaint filed by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, who alleged that Kamra made defamatory remarks about Shinde during a comedy show.

The controversy stems from a video Kamra shot mocking Shinde over the split in the Shiv Sena. Following the release of the video, Shiv Sena workers reportedly ransacked the studio and the hotel in which it was located on the night of March 23. In response, the Mumbai Police issued Kamra a third summons, asking him to appear on April 5.

Earlier this week, after Kamra skipped the second summons, a team from Khar Police visited his residence in Mahim.

Separately, the Shiv Sena submitted a complaint to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police on Wednesday, requesting an investigation into alleged foreign funding received by Kamra through his videos. According to an ANI report citing EOW officials, the complaint called for a probe into Kamra's financial transactions, specifically in relation to his recent stand-up video titled Naya Bharat, in which he commented on Shinde, raising questions about the sources of his income.

Currently, three separate cases have been registered against Kamra at the Khar Police Station concerning his remarks about Shinde. According to police officials, one complaint was filed by the Mayor of Jalgaon, while the other two were lodged by a hotelier and a businessman from Nashik.

Amid the ongoing police inquiries, Kamra issued an apology to those who attended his show, as some of them reportedly received notices for questioning from the Mumbai Police.

"I am deeply sorry for the inconvenience that attending my show has caused to you. Please email me so that I can schedule your next vacation anywhere you'd like in India," Kamra said.