The Fatehabad police arrested comedian Kiku Sharda, hours after he was released from jail in Kaithal. The "Comedy Nights With Kapil" actor was on his way to Delhi when he was arrested again.
Kiku, popular as Palak of "Comedy Nights With Kapil", was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Early on Wednesday, police arrested Kiku under Section 295 A of the IPC (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings) based on the complaint filed by the self-proclaimed godman's followers.
He was arrested in Mumbai and was taken to Haryana for further investigation. After reaching Haryana, he was produced in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Nandita Kaushik and was sent to 14-days judicial custody. On Wednesday evening, the comedian was released on a surety bond of Rs 1 lakh after Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh tweeted that he has accepted Kiku's apology.
"I was busy shooting OnlineGurukul; just got to know, devotees are hurt due to Kiku's action.If he has apologized, no complaint from my side," the self-proclaimed godman tweeted.
However, that same day he was arrested in Fatehabad as there was another complaint registered against him for mimicking the self-proclaimed godman in "Comedy Nights With Kapil".
"Sharda was an accused in one of the criminal cases registered here. We learnt of his whereabouts and arrested him," Kaithal Superintendent of Police Krishan Murari said, according to The Indian Express.
Kiku made fun of the Dera chief and enacted a scene from his movie "MSG 2", which irked his followers. They also protested against the actor after the show was aired on 27 December, but on the next day Kiku apologised on Twitter.
"Doston the act on TV was not to hurt anyone's feelings. My apologies to @Gurmeetramrahim ji and his followers. Let's spread happiness," he said.
