A Mumbai court granted bail to Shiv Sena leader Rahul Kanal and 11 other party cadres of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, arrested over charges of vandalising ‘The Habitat’ studio, the premises where comedian Kunal Kamra performed his controversial show.
A magistrate court in Bandra granted bail to the Shiv Sena workers and they were released after taking personal bonds of ₹15,000. Mumbai police arrested the Shiv Sena cadres on Monday for ransacking the studio premises located at a Mumbai hotel. The Shiv Sena workers vandalised the premises enraged over Kamra’s performance allegedly mocking Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
#WATCH | Mumbai: Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) workers vandalised Habitat Comedy Club in Khar after comedian Kunal Kamra's remarks on Maharashtra DCM Eknath Shinde here sparked backlash. (23.03)
— ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025
Source: Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) pic.twitter.com/L8pkt0TLM6
The 36-year-old comedian, during his performance on Saturday, performed a parody of a popular Hindi song from the film "Dil Toh Pagal Hai," and referred to Shinde as a "gaddar" (traitor). He also performed jokes about recent political developments in Maharashtra. Though Kamra did not name Shinde, Shiv Sena workers attacked the premises alleging Kamra mocked the Shiv Sena leader. The Mumbai police have identified 19 persons in connection with the vandalism case and are on the lookout for other accused in the case.
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Police have also registered a case against Kamra for his alleged remarks against Shinde. Police are reportedly probing whether there was any conspiracy behind the act and did he receive any help from others. Police issued a summons to Kamra on Tuesday. As the comedian was not present at his Mumbai home, police have sent the summons to his WhatsApp number also.
Kamra in a statement, refused to apologise for his performance. “I will not apologise. What I said is exactly what Mr. Ajit Pawar (1st deputy CM) said about Mr Eknath Shinde (2nd Deputy CM). I don't fear this mob & I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down,” he had said.
