A Mumbai court has granted bail to 12 individuals, including Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Rahul Kanal, who were arrested for vandalizing The Habitat Studio in Khar. The incident occurred amid a controversy involving comedian Kunal Kamra, whom the accused claimed had insulted Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Following their arrest by Khar police, the court decided to release them on bail. The case sparked debates over political intolerance and freedom of expression in India.
Mumbai: A magistrate court in Bandra granted bail on Sunday to all 12 individuals arrested in connection with the vandalism at The Habitat Studio, including Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Rahul Kanal. This incident was tied to a controversy surrounding a show by stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra.
The accused released on a personal bond of Rs.15,000 each, just a day after their arrest by Khar police, after which they were placed in judicial custody.
The vandalism reportedly occurred after the group alleged that Kamra had made derogatory comments about Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a show recorded on January 21.
The police charged the accused under several sections, including BNS 132 and BNS 333, both of which are non-bailable offenses. Kanal’s lawyer challenged the charges in court, arguing that the sections invoked were unlawful.
The defense also noted that the first FIR in the case had been filed at the MIDC police station.
According to the police, the group entered the venue and caused damage while asserting that Kamra had insulted Shinde. The accused were presented before the court on Saturday and were granted bail the following day.
Rahul Kanal, a key member of the Shiv Sena’s Shinde faction and General Secretary of the Yuva Sena, has recently attracted attention due to his role in a controversy involving comedian Kunal Kamra.
During one of Kamra’s performances, he made comments that were seen as derogatory towards Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, labeling him a “traitor.”
This incited considerable backlash from Shiv Sena supporters.
In reaction to Kamra’s remarks, Kanal and 11 others were arrested for allegedly vandalizing The Habitat Studio in Mumbai, where Kamra performed. The group asserted that their actions were a response to the perceived insult directed at Deputy CM Shinde.
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Kanal’s participation in this incident ignited conversations about political intolerance and the limits of free expression in India. His actions and subsequent legal troubles highlights the existing tensions between political figures and artists in today’s socio-political landscape.
Kunal Kamra is a well-known Indian stand-up comedian, social commentator, and political satirist. He is famous for his sharp wit, bold political humor, and criticism of the Indian government, particularly the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.