Kaithal (Haryana): Comedian Kiku Sharda, best known for his drag act as Palak in popular TV show Comedy Nights With Kapil, was on Wednesday arrested by Haryana police on a complaint alleging he hurt religious sentiments by mimicking Dera Sacha Sauda sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
Mr Kiku, 40, was sent to judicial custody after police produced him before the court here. He was arrested from Mumbai by the Haryana Police. He was booked on December 31 under section 295 A of the Indian Penal Code (outraging religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious belief).
A case was registered on the complaint of one Uday Singh, a follower of Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda, police said here.
While talking to media after his arrest, Kiku apologised and said that he was an artist and “presented the programme on the directions of the TV channel and programme producers”.
“I was given a dress, script to read and directed to act,” he said, adding that he had been booked in this case but no action was taken against others including the TV channel which aired the show. He said that his aim was only to entertain the public and not to hurt feelings.
