Arnab Goswami Gets 3 Weeks’ Interim Relief, SC Orders Stay on Arrest

On Apr 24, 2020

Mumbai : TV anchor Arnab Goswami has come into controversy by making indecent remarks on Congress President Sonia Gandhi. Cases are constantly being filed against him in police stations. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has ordered the petitioner journalist Arnab Goswami for three weeks of interim protection and no concrete action against him. He can file an anticipatory bail application in three weeks.

Supreme Court stays all FIRs against Arnab Goswami except one which was filed in Nagpur and which has now been transferred to Mumbai. SC also directs Mumbai Police Commissioner to provide security to Arnab Goswami and Republic TV https://t.co/klkeYWHKvr
— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2020

The Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Dr. DY Chandrachud and Justice MR Shah has completed hearing on the petition filed by Arnab Goswami on Friday. This petition challenged the FIR lodged against him in various parts of the country. Mukul Rohatgi appeared for Arnab. A total of 8 lawyers were present for cross-examination including Kapil Sibal for Maharashtra, Vivek Tankha for Chhattisgarh, Manish Singhvi for Rajasthan. As soon as the hearing began, the judge asked why so many lawyers had come for a new case. The Court has quashed all except one FIR against Arnab Goswami.

This FIR was filed in Nagpur and has now been transferred to Mumbai. The apex court has directed the Mumbai Police Commissioner to provide security to Arnab Goswami and Republic TV. While hearing the petition, a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah said that no strict action would be taken against them for two weeks.

Arnab’s lawyer said, the FIR lodged in Nagpur should be transferred to Mumbai. The attack on Arnab should also be investigated simultaneously. Our office should also be protected. Further, Arnab Goswami’s lawyer Rohatgi informed the judge about the Palghar incident. Said that Arnab did a 45-minute show on this, but in return, an FIR was lodged in many states. Lawyer Rohatgi said that the language of the FIR lodged everywhere is the same. It is clear that he is being harassed systematically.