Maharashtra Council extends deadline for Privileges Committee report on Kunal Kamra, Sushma Andhare
The motion was moved by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC Prasad Lad, who also chairs the Privileges Committee. The case arises from a breach of privilege notice moved by BJP MLC Pravin Darekar during the Budget session, in which Mr. Kamra was accused of insulting Mr. Shinde during a parody performance. The act allegedly used the word 'gaddar' or 'traitor in reference to Mr. Shinde's 2022 defection from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and was deemed offensive by the complainant. Ms. Andhare had allegedly expressed support for the performance, which was construed as contempt of the legislature.
The show in question was performed and recorded at the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai's Khar area and was later uploaded online on March 23, under the title Naya Bharat (New India).
Following the release of the video, members of the Shiv Sena, including party functionary Rahul Kanal and eleven others, allegedly vandalised the venue in protest.
Subsequently, show-cause notices were issued to both Mr. Kamra and Ms. Andhare by the Legislative Council Secretariat. However, the notices could not be delivered due to incomplete address details. Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde had referred the breach notice to the Privileges Committee in June for further inquiry.
On March 24, an FIR was lodged against Mr. Kamra at Khar police station under Sections 353(1)(B), 353(2) and 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, accusing him of defaming the Deputy Chief Minister. Mr. Kamra later approached the Madras High Court, stating that he had been residing in Tamil Nadu since 2021. In his petition, he submitted that he had received over 500 death threat calls and messages since the video was uploaded and expressed fear of arrest by Mumbai Police. The High Court extended his interim anticipatory bail till April 17. Mr. Kamra, however, has not responded to two summonses issued by the Mumbai Police.
Editorial: No country for comedy: On Kunal Kamra and Maharashtra
On June 7, Mr. Lad told The Hindu that the 11-member Privileges Committee had approved the proposal with a full majority. 'Once the show-cause notice is issued, the respondent is asked to give a written reply within 15 days. Failure to do so leads to a second show-cause notice, and in case the respondent does not respond to three notices, the committee can ask the police to arrest them,' he said.
'Thereafter, their statement is recorded in front of the committee. The respondent can choose to apologise, or be represented by a lawyer if we give them permission, or put forth their side by themselves. Whatever decision the committee takes thereafter, it is the final decision. Even the courts have no jurisdiction in the matter,' Mr. Lad added.
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