Maharashtra Privilege Committee Issues Notice To Kamra

The stand-up comedian on March 23 posted a video on his YouTube channel in which he called Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde a “traitor” while referring to his rebellion against the Uddhav Thackeray led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government resulting in the collapse of the MVA government. Though Mr. Kamra did not take Mr Shinde’s name in the video, it was clear that he was referring to Maharashtra DCM.

Following this, the video clips of the parody song were widely shared on social media, after which the Shiv Sena members vandalised ‘The Habitat’ studio in Mumbai’s Khar area, where it was recorded. Ms Andhare had supported the comedian and shared the video on social media. She also used objectionable language against Mr. Shinde. Post this, Mumbai police had filed a case against Mr Kamra under sections of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) pertaining to defamation and public mischief.

During the budget session in March, BJP MLC Pravin Darekar had moved a breach of privilege motion against Mr Kamra and Ms Andhare. In June, legislative council chairman Ram Shinde had forwarded the motion to the Privileges Committee.

Officials said that the Privileges committee held a meeting on July 4th in which it was decided to send the notices to Mr Kamra and Ms Andhare. “Accordingly, the notices have been sent on July 8 to Maharashtra DGP and Mumbai Police Commissioners, who will deliver it to them as the state legislature does not have their proper addresses,” said the official requesting anonymity.

Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab raised the issue of serving notice of breach of privilege through eight police personnel to Sushma Andhare in the legislative council. Mr. Parab said, “This is not the way to serve the notice of breach of privilege through Crime Branch police. Do you want to intimidate her?”

Replying to Mr. Parab, BJP MLC Prasad Lad said that they have sent notices on the address, which is mentioned in the records. “But I was told that nobody stays at the mentioned addresses, so as per the provision of the Privileges committee, the notice was served though the District SP or the City Police Commissioner (who serves the notice to the concerned person). Similarly, we don’t have the address of Kunal Kamra so the notice is being served though DGP and Police Commissioner,” said Mr. Lad, who is the chairperson of the Privileges committee.