India, April 8 -- The Bombay high court on Tuesday directed the Maharashtra government to respond to the petition filed by stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra to quash the FIR registered against him for allegedly defaming Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde during a show in February.

Issuing a formal notice to the state government and the complainant, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, the division bench of justices Sarang Kotwal and SM Modak has posted the matter for hearing on April 16. Observing that Kamra has already been granted anticipatory bail by the Madras high court till April 17, the bench said the matter should be taken up before the relief expires.

Kamra's counsel, senior advocate Navroz Seervai, on Tuesday informed the court...