Mumbai Police have launched an investigation into whether comedian Kunal Kamra’s recent jokes targeting Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde were part of a larger conspiracy, raising concerns over free speech and political retaliation.

Police action and Kamra’s response

A team from Khar police station visited Kamra’s residence in Mumbai with a summons for questioning, which his parents accepted. Since the comedian is reportedly out of state, the police also sent the summons to him via WhatsApp. He faces multiple charges, including defamation and making statements conducive to public mischief.

Sources in the police department indicated they are trying to determine whether Kamra received monetary or other forms of assistance to criticise the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) chief. Investigators are also probing if anyone helped him write the controversial material. Authorities may examine Kamra’s phone and electronic devices as part of the ongoing inquiry.

The controversial act and aftermath

The uproar stems from a parody segment Kamra performed during a comedy show at Mumbai’s Habitat studio. He reworked the lyrics of the iconic 1997 Bollywood song Bholi Si Surat to mock Eknath Shinde, using terms like gaddar (traitor), a reference to Shinde’s 2022 rebellion that toppled the Uddhav Thackeray-led government.

The act triggered a backlash, leading to the vandalism of Habitat studio by alleged Shiv Sena supporters. While Shinde distanced himself from the violence, he said emotions of party workers were valid and questioned who had given Kamra “supari” (a term often linked to contract killings) to target him.

Habitat studio shuts operations

Following the incident, civic officials conducted a demolition drive at the studio, citing alleged building code violations. The venue, popular for stand-up comedy, has now shut its doors temporarily. In a statement, the studio clarified it has no involvement in the content performed on its stage.

“We have never been involved in the content performed by any artist, but the recent events have made us rethink about how we get blamed and targeted,” the studio said.

Kamra stands firm

Kunal Kamra addressed the controversy on social media platform X, stating that neither the venue nor any political party was responsible for his performance. Drawing an analogy, he wrote, “Attacking a venue for a comedian’s words is as senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes because you didn’t like the butter chicken you were served.”

He further stated he is not afraid and is open to cooperating with authorities. However, he raised questions about whether equal legal action would be taken against those who vandalised the studio or against the civic officials who conducted the demolition without prior notice.

Opposition support

Opposition leaders have come out in support of the comic, condemning the government’s action. Uddhav Thackeray, chief of the Shiv Sena (UBT), defended Kamra, saying his remarks reflected truth and were not just satire. “Those who steal are gaddar. There is no freedom of expression when it comes to traitors,” he said.

A fire broke out in Mumbai’s Dharavi on Monday night after multiple gas cylinders exploded in a parked truck, triggering panic and traffic chaos. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident, which took place near Maharashtra Nature Park on the Sion Dharavi Link Road.

According to officials, the fire erupted around 9.50 pm after a series of blasts from a truck loaded with LPG cylinders near PNGP Colony. The blaze was categorized as a level II (medium emergency) and brought under control by 19 fire tenders deployed to the site.

Deputy chief fire officer Santosh Sawant stated that an LPG cylinder used for home delivery services was the first to explode, which escalated the fire. The situation led to damage to at least four nearby vehicles, but swift evacuation and emergency response ensured no injuries occurred.

“The explosion led to the fire’s escalation. We dispatched five fire engines following level II protocol. No reports of injuries have been received so far,” Sawant said.

Residents of nearby buildings, including Raju Darshan A1 and B2, rushed out in panic after hearing the loud explosions. Ansarul Shaikh, a local resident, claimed that around 20 cylinders exploded, although officials have not confirmed this figure.

“The blasts caused panic, and many ran for cover. Fortunately, pedestrians were on the other side of the road. The police managed crowd control, and the fire brigade acted promptly,” Shaikh added.

The incident also caused a traffic jam along the busy Sion Dharavi Link Road. Crowds gathered at the site, many capturing videos of the blaze, which quickly circulated on social media.

Probe underway

Authorities have identified the truck driver and are in the process of apprehending him. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the cylinder explosions.

Officials assured that the situation is now under control and urged the public not to panic. Further updates are expected once forensic analysis and the fire department’s full report are available.

In a rare show of political consensus, both ruling and opposition parties have come together demanding answers in the controversy involving Justice Yashwant Varma, after the alleged recovery of unaccounted cash from his residence and a subsequent mysterious fire. However, the incident, which unfolded without an FIR or any formal police investigation, has ignited a larger debate on judicial transparency.

Questions over transparency

Justice Varma, who has denied knowledge of the cash recovered from his residence, has been relieved of his duties in the Delhi High Court and repatriated to the Allahabad High Court, a move that was met with resistance from the local Bar Association. Meanwhile, a Supreme Court-formed three-member committee is investigating the matter.

Despite the high-profile nature of the case, no FIR has been lodged, and no formal forensic or police report has emerged to clarify the cause of the fire or the source of the cash. Legal experts and senior officials argue that such developments would normally lead to immediate action under income tax and anti-corruption laws for ordinary citizens.

Legal experts question silence

Legal voices across the board have called for equal treatment under the law. Several experts also pointed out that the police are obliged to investigate the discovery of unclaimed or suspicious assets under Section 102 of the CrPC (now BNSS). A retired judge emphasized that the law should compel an investigation into the ownership and potential criminal origin of the cash.

Calls for CBI probe

As demands for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe grow louder, many believe the matter cannot be brushed aside. A senior advocate from Allahabad High Court alleged that something more serious might be hidden beneath the surface and warned against scapegoating.

The incident has also reignited the debate over the collegium system of judicial appointments. Justice L Narasimha Reddy, former Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, pointed out that the absence of the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) framework has left the system vulnerable to opacity and lack of accountability.

A test of judicial equality

The controversy has now become more than a singular issue. It is being viewed as a test of whether the justice system will uphold the fundamental principle of equality before the law. Experts and political leaders alike are demanding that judicial integrity be preserved through transparency and lawful action.

As the investigation awaits further clarity, the silence from enforcement agencies continues to fuel public suspicion, raising the core question: Can the law truly be equal for all?