Shinde 'gaddar' row: Mumbai Police notice forces banker to cut short vacation to join Kunal Kamra probe

Comedian Kunal Kamra.

A banker from Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, had to reportedly cut short his vacation to Kerala and Tamil Nadu and return to Mumbai after repeated calls from Khar police to appear for questioning as a witness in a case lodged against comedian Kunal Kamra.

The 46-year-old banker got "repeated" calls and was also issued a notice on March 29 under Section 179 of CrPC, requesting his presence, according to a report by the Times of India.

The case stems from a video titled 'Naya Bharat' released online on March 24. In the episode, Kamra alluded to Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde as 'gaddar' (traitor) which triggered at least a dozen Shiv Sainiks to vandalise the Habitat studio. The Shiv Sena also filed a complaint against Kamra.

"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 skeptical about my out-my-town status and threatened to visit my Kharghar residence. This prompted me to cut short my trip and return early," the banker told TOI.

He further added, "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)?"

Nearly 70 people had attended Kunal Kamra' show on February 2. However, how many people from the audience have been notice during investigation is not clear yet.

The police have also started recording the statement of the cameraperson who recorded the video and statements of other staffers who were present when the video was shot.

Kunal Kamra has been issued three summons so far from Khar police asking him to appear before them.