New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday will hear the petition filed by Republic TV’s editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami seeking quashing of the FIR registered against him for allegedly trying to disturb communal harmony.
A complaint was filed by Irfan Abubakar Shaikh, secretary of the Raza Educational Welfare Society, who accused Goswami of creating communal disturbance over the gathering of migrant workers in Mumbai’s Bandra last month.
The FIR has been filed under sections 153 (provocation with intent to cause riot), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 295A (outraging religious feelings of any class of citizens), 500 (defamation), 505(2) (statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill will between classes) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.
The top court will also hear an application filed by the Maharashtra government, demanding that orders be issued to “insulate” the Mumbai Police “from any pressure, threat or coercion” from Goswami, so that the investigating agency can carry out a fair probe.
The state government had accused Goswami of “publicly trying to malign the police and the manner of their investigation” and making “false and baseless allegations” against the Mumbai police commissioner.
Both applications will be heard by a bench comprising Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice M.R. Shah.
Also read: Arnab Goswami vs Congress: Drama for TV ratings or attack on free speech?
Over 100 FIRs and protection from arrest
Goswami had approached the Supreme Court last month after more than 100 FIRs were filed against him in several states, including Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Telangana, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
The FIRs accused him of using derogatory language against Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and making “inflammatory statements” during discussions on the Palghar incident on his channel.
Goswami had demanded that all complaints or FIRs be quashed and said they violate his fundamental rights under Articles 19(1)(a) (freedom of speech and expression) and 21 (right to life and personal liberty).
The Supreme Court had on 24 April provided him protection from arrest, and stayed all FIRs against him, except for one in Nagpur.
The Nagpur FIR was ordered to be transferred to Mumbai, and is now being investigated by the Mumbai Police, along with the FIR filed by Goswami alleging that he was attacked in the city by two goons on a motorcycle on 23 April.
Also read: Now, Arnab Goswami accuses Mumbai Police of ‘malice’ over Republic TV report, moves SC