Bengaluru: BBMP member Imran Pasha held for taking out procession post-discharge
Bengaluru: Imran Pasha, member of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike from Padarayanapura, was arrested on Sunday, for participating in a procession by his fans.
The followers organised the procession when the corporator was discharged from hospital after treatment for Corona infection. The doctors had instructed Pasha to return home directly and stay in home quarantine, but the corporator has been accused of indulging in a road show with his followers.
Following the arrest of Pasha by JJ Nagar police, Padarayanapura was sealed down again. The police also went on a beat to find people who were roaming around the area.
In addition, CrPC Section 144 was imposed in Padarayanapura. Two KSRP and Garuda squad police staff were put on duty in the area.
MLA demands action
Legislator Zameer Ahmed has condemned Pasha going out in procession after discharge.
“I was glad that Pasha has recovered from an attack of Corona, but it was not right of him to take out a rally like a candidate who has won an election. I request the authorities to take suitable legal action against him,” he urged.
“When the entire state is struggling against Corona, taking out a procession with hundreds of people was very irresponsible of Pasha. If the people who should instruct the citizens to maintain social distance are themselves so careless, how can it be acceptable?” Ahmed added.
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Bombay HC issues notice to Maharashtra govt, MLA Murji Patel on Kunal Kamra’s plea to quash FIRs
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday issued notices to the Maharashtra government and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLA Murji Patel in response to a petition filed by comedian Kunal Kamra seeking the quashing of multiple FIRs lodged against him over political remarks made during his stand-up show.
A division bench of Justices Sarang Kotwal and SM Modak scheduled the matter for hearing on April 16. “Issue notice to the respondents (police and Patel). They shall take instructions and respond to the plea,” the bench observed.
The first FIR was filed by Murji Patel on March 24 at Khar police station, based on Kamra’s performance of his show ‘Naya Bharat’ at Habitat Studio, Unicontinental Hotel, Khar. Kamra allegedly made comments targeting prominent political figures, industrialists, and central agencies.
Representing Kamra, senior advocate Navroz Seervai informed the court that the Madras High Court had extended the interim transit anticipatory bail granted to the comedian until April 17. Seervai added that Kamra, who has been residing in Tamil Nadu since 2021, had offered thrice in writing to appear before police via video conference due to threats to his safety. However, police insisted on his physical presence.
“This is not a case of murder. It is an FIR stemming from a stand-up comedy show,” Seervai said. “He is ready to cooperate with the investigation but seeks to do so through video conferencing.”
In his petition, Kamra contended that the FIRs violate his constitutional rights, including freedom of speech and expression, and that continuation of the case amounts to criminalising political commentary. He maintained that his comments about the 2022 political developments in Maharashtra, including the Shiv Sena split and Eknath Shinde's appointment as Chief Minister, are matters of public record.
Kamra stated that the script for ‘Naya Bharat’ was written in July 2024 and performed around 60 times between August 2024 and February 2025. A recording was uploaded online in March 2025, after which multiple FIRs were registered.
A zero FIR was initially filed at MIDC police station before being transferred to Khar. Three additional FIRs were lodged on March 28 under similar charges, with further cases registered in Thane and Dombivli.
Following backlash, an online ticketing platform delisted Kamra and removed all associated content on April 5.
The court will hear the case in full on April 16.
