Kunal Kamra Files for Protection in Madras HC Amid Eknath Shinde Joke Row

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has approached the Madras High Court seeking transit anticipatory bail in the FIR lodged against him. Kamra is booked for a parody song targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister. Earlier, Mumbai Police had sent a notice to Kamra to appear on March 31. He was to appear on Tuesday, but he has sought seven days' time.

What is Zero FIR and Transit Anticipatory Bail?

A Zero FIR is an FIR that can be registered at any police station, even if the crime did not occur in the jurisdiction of that police station. It is called "Zero" because it is initially registered without a number and is later transferred to the concerned police station. Its purpose is to ensure quick action.

Talking about transit anticipatory bail, it is a legal remedy in which a person seeks anticipatory bail from the court of the state where he is present, so that he can avoid arrest in a case registered in another state. It is useful when a person feels that he may be arrested during the journey.

Legal action and threats

Following the incident, Mumbai Police filed an FIR against Kamra on the complaint of Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel. The police issued summons to him twice for questioning, but Kamra has so far expressed his inability to appear. Along with this, Kamra has claimed that he has received more than 500 threat calls, in which some people have threatened to kill him and "tear him into pieces". Due to these circumstances, Kamra filed a petition in the Madras High Court, in which he said that he is currently in Pondicherry and is worried about his safety in Mumbai.

Kamra's stance

Kunal Kamra has clearly refused to apologize in this matter. He said on social media, "What I said is the same as what Maharashtra's first Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar  said about Eknath Shinde. I will not apologize, but will follow the legal process." Kamra's statement further fueled the controversy, after which Shiv Sena leaders warned him to teach him a lesson in "Shiv Sena style