The Mumbai police have filed a case against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on Monday over his remarks on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde after a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel.

Officials told the media that the FIR had been lodged at MIDC police station under various BNS sections, including 353(1)(b) (statements conducive to public mischief) and 356(2) (defamation).

During his performance at the Unicontinental Mumbai hotel in Mumbai’s Khar, Kamra had allegedly referred to Shinde as a “traitor” while singing a modified version of a song from the movie Dil To Pagal Hai. It was a reference to the 2022 rebellion within the undivided Shiv Sena that led to the toppling of the Uddhav Thackeray government.

On Sunday, Shiv Sena members had damaged the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where Kamra’s show had been filmed, as well as the hotel on whose premises the club is located. An FIR had been lodged against Sena workers over the incident.

In a statement on its official Instagram handle, the Habitat said it has decided to shut down “till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy”. The venue was earlier in the news when podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia made crass remarks during the shooting of India’s Got Latent. 

Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske earlier warned Kamra that he would be chased by party workers and “forced to flee India”.

“Did not know that you can RENT a comedian and use him as your PUPPET ?!?!. Or as a mere diversionary tactic . Kamra’s comment, “Meri nazar se tum dekho to gaddar nazar wo aaye,” is not comedy but its vulgarity . Obviously he does not know what it takes for an auto rickshaw driver to work his way with public support to emerge as a CM and DYCm of Maharashtra,” Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC posted on X.

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