The Madras High Court on Friday granted interim anticipatory bail to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, who faces potential arrest over jokes targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a recent performance in Mumbai.

Kamra, 36, had sought relief from the court, stating that he relocated from Mumbai to Tamil Nadu in 2021 and has since been a resident of the state. His petition expressed apprehension about being arrested by the Mumbai Police, which had summoned him twice in connection with the case.

The controversy arose after Kamra’s show at Mumbai’s Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where he performed a satirical song parodying Shinde. The act drew sharp criticism from Shiv Sena supporters, leading to violent protests. A group of party workers vandalized the comedy club and the adjoining hotel, prompting police action.

Following a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, the Khar Police registered a case against Kamra for allegedly making defamatory statements against the deputy CM. Mumbai Police issued a second summons, directing the comedian to appear before them on March 31.

Meanwhile, authorities arrested 12 Shiv Sainiks, including leader Rahool Kanal, for the destruction of property at the venue.

Kamra, known for his sharp political satire, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, lashing out at mainstream media. He wrote: “The mainstream media at this point is nothing but a miscommunication arm of the ruling party. They are vultures who report on issues that don’t matter to the people of this country. If they all shut shop from tomorrow till eternity, they will be doing a favor to the country, its people & their own children.”

The Madras High Court’s decision to grant interim bail provides temporary protection to Kamra from arrest, allowing the legal process to proceed without immediate detention. The case has reignited debates on free speech, political satire, and the limits of comedy in India, where comedians frequently face legal challenges for their content.

This incident is not Kamra’s first brush with controversy—his past remarks on politicians and media figures have often sparked outrage. 

The Union Cabinet Friday announced a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners, marking the second such adjustment this fiscal year. The revised rates, rising from 53% to 55% of basic pay, will take effect from January 1, 2025, benefiting approximately 1.15 crore individuals across the country.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the decision following today’s Cabinet meeting, stating the hike reflects the government’s commitment to mitigating inflation’s impact on its workforce. “This revision aligns with our established formula based on the All-India Consumer Price Index data,” Vaishnaw said. The move carries an annual financial implication of ₹6,614.04 crore for the exchequer.

Detailed Financial Impact
The increase affects 48.66 lakh active employees and 66.55 lakh pensioners. For illustration:

• Senior bureaucrats with ₹2 lakh basic pay will see monthly DA rise by ₹4,000 (from ₹1.06 lakh to ₹1.10 lakh)
• Mid-level officers drawing ₹56,100 basic pay gain ₹1,122 monthly
• Entry-level staff (₹18,000 basic) receive an additional ₹360 per month

Implementation Timeline
The Finance Ministry has directed all departments to:

1. Process revised payments for February 2025 salaries
2. Calculate and disburse January arrears separately
3. Complete all account adjustments by March 31, 2025

This follows July 2024’s 3% DA hike (50% to 53%) and precedes the anticipated 8th Pay Commission recommendations expected in 2026. Since 2020, DA revisions have followed this biannual pattern, except during the pandemic-induced freeze from April 2020 to June 2021.

State governments typically follow the Centre’s lead on such adjustments, suggesting similar announcements may follow from various state capitals in coming weeks. The move comes as the government balances fiscal responsibility with welfare commitments in an election year.

The Central government has approved the transfer of Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma to the Allahabad High Court, following the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium. The decision, formalised by the Union Law Ministry on Thursday, comes amid ongoing controversy over an alleged cash stash incident linked to the judge’s residence.

“In exercise of the power conferred by clause (1) of Article 222 of the Constitution of India, the President, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, is pleased to transfer Shri Justice Yashwant Varma… to be a Judge of Allahabad High Court,” stated the official notification.

The Supreme Court had earlier clarified that the transfer was not related to the ongoing inquiry into the alleged cash discovery at Justice Varma’s official bungalow, where a fire reportedly destroyed a substantial amount of money. The judge has denied the allegations, calling them baseless and part of a conspiracy.

Protests and criticism over transfer decision

The decision has triggered protests by lawyers in the Allahabad High Court, who have objected to what they perceive as a pattern of sending judges to their court as a punitive measure. They argue that such transfers reinforce a negative perception of the court being used as a “dumping ground.”

Former Attorney General of India Mukul Rohatgi also voiced concern over the matter, suggesting the transfer appears linked to the controversy surrounding the alleged cash stash. “There are several loose ends in this case… I don’t think there is any great thing in saying that the transfer is not connected to the scam,” he said, questioning the Supreme Court’s statement distancing the move from the investigation.

Justice Varma, in a response submitted to the committee formed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, described the allegations as damaging to his reputation. “In the life of a judge, nothing matters more than reputation and character. That has been severely tarnished and irreparably damaged,” he wrote.

The controversy continues to stir debate within the legal community, even as Justice Varma prepares to assume his new position at the Allahabad High Court.