Cops force banker to cut short vacation to join Kamra probe

MUMBAI: A 46-year-old banking professional from Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, had to cut short his 17-day holiday to Kerala and Tamil Nadu and return to Mumbai Monday after repeated calls from Khar police and a notice requiring his presence for questioning as a witness in the

defamation case

lodged against stand-up comedian

Kunal Kamra

.
The case is about Kamra's 'Naya Bharat' video released online on Mar 24, after which 12 Shiv Sainiks, objecting to Kamra alluding to Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde as "gaddar," vandalised the Habitat studio situated inside hotel Unicontinental. The Sena filed an FIR against Kamra the same day.
The banker got a call from the police on March 28 and then a notice on his WhatsApp on March 29 under Section 179 of CrPC, requesting his presence the following day. He said, "I had left Mumbai on March 21 for the trip and was supposed to return on April 6. But I returned midway after repeated calls from the police while I was in Tamil Nadu. The officer who called me was sceptical about my out-of-town status and threatened to visit my Kharghar residence. This prompted me to cut short my trip and return early."
The notice sought his

witness statement

under CrPC. The banker told TOI, "Despite me saying that I had booked a ticket for the show online and that I had proof of booking, the cops said I might have edited the video Kamra has recorded. Why will the comedian hand over his shows video to me (for editing)?"

Cops have started recording the statement of the cameraperson who recorded the video and statements of other staffers who were present when the video was shot Feb 2. Police said they will give adequate security to Kamra when he arrives in the city after Shiv Sena workers said the party would welcome him to Mumbai in 'Sena style.'
Nearly 70 people had attended Kamra's show when it was recorded on Feb 2. However, police withheld information on the total number of audience members who had been served notices under Section 179 of the CrPC during investigation.
Responding to TOI's report Tuesday about audience members being summoned, Kamra posted on X, "How to kill an Artist: a step-by-step guide - outrage (just enough for brands to stop commissioning their work), outrage more (until private and corporate gigs dry up), outrage louder (so big venues won't take risk), outrage violently (until even smallest spaces shut their doors), summon their audience for questioning (turning art into a crime scene). Now artist is left with only two choices: Sell their soul and become a dollar puppet - or wither in silence."
Kamra has got two notices so far from Khar police asking him to appear. Madras HC, after granting him interim relief from arrest, scheduled a hearing for April 7.