New Delhi: Days after Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami was questioned by the Mumbai Police, the Maharashtra government has filed an application in the Supreme Court, demanding that orders be issued to “insulate” the investigating agency “from any pressure, threat or coercion” from Goswami, so that it can carry out a fair probe.
The application accuses Goswami of “publicly trying to malign the police and the manner of their investigation”, and of making “false and baseless allegations” against Mumbai’s police commissioner.
Goswami, the application states, has “clearly abused the journalistic freedom available to him under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution”, and has “indulged in a vicious propaganda against the police”.
Goswami had moved the Supreme Court after over 100 FIRs were filed against him across the country, accusing him of making “inflammatory statements” and defaming Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi.
On 24 April, the apex court granted him protection from arrest for three weeks, staying all FIRs against him, except for one in Nagpur. This 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: Arnab Goswami vs Congress: Drama for TV ratings or attack on free speech?
‘Licence to defame’
The application filed by the Maharashtra government now claims that Goswami is using the Supreme Court’s interim protection “as some kind of a licence to indulge in unwarranted sensationalism” and “to ridicule, denigrate and defame the police department and its officers and to dictate the course of investigations in the way and manner of his choice and also to cause subtle threats and intimidate the investigating agency”.
The government has, therefore, asserted that Goswami has “used, abused and misused” his position as a journalist and editor, and hence, the probe agency should be insulated from him.
It has also sought directions restraining him from “abusing” the interim protection granted to him by the court.
The application takes objection to several tweets posted by the Twitter account of Republic’s Hindi channel, Republic Bharat.
One of these was posted on 26 April, announcing that Goswami would subject himself to an investigation, and urged the police to show a sense of immediacy in investigating the FIR he filed as well.
The government’s application pointed out three tweets made by the handle while Goswami was being interrogated as well. These tweets said he had been questioned for over 11 hours, and claimed that the police were covering up the matter concerning the alleged attack on him.
These tweets, the application said, created an impression of the police being biased against Goswami. It also said the tweets portrayed that the police were covering up Goswami’s FIR against his attack, and were “unnecessarily” questioning him for several hours.
“The correct fact is that the police are also investigating the petitioner’s FIR and have not covered up the matter regarding the petitioner’s FIR,” the Maharashtra government asserted.
The application further claimed that Goswami carried his entourage of reporters and cameramen inside the police station, “where he virtually commanded the police officials to do certain things and act in a certain way as propounded by him”.
“Ever since the occurrence and registration of the case, the petitioner has made a media spectacle of the entire incident at every stage,” it added.
Also read: Congress attack on Arnab has a Nehru legacy. Curb on free speech is built into party’s DNA
‘Terrorising’ investigating officers
The application also took note of a debate titled ‘Poochhta Hai Bharat’ on the Republic Bharat channel.
It alleged that Goswami made several “personal false statements” against Mumbai’s commissioner of police during this debate.
It said Goswami referred to the ‘IndiaBulls scam’ on his show, claiming that several police officers, including the commissioner, were involved in it, and that he was going to investigate and blow the lid off it.
The allegations, it said, were aimed at “browbeating, terrorising and intimidating the investigating officer(s)”.
“This appears to be aimed solely at browbeating the investigating officers by creating a fear psychosis that they would also face dire consequences and would be publicly ridiculed, if they proceed for investigations in the two FIRs, one lodged by the petitioner and one against him, against his dictates,” it added.
The application demanded: “It is also necessary that this Hon’ble Court may issue appropriate directions so that a balance is maintained between the rights of the petitioner as a citizens as well as a ‘senior journalist’ vis-a-vis the prerogative of the investigating agency to conduct investigations into the crime as an arm of the law, without any fear, threat or pressure.”
Also read: Arnab Goswami’s attack continues. Rahul, Priyanka, where’s your ‘enough is enough’ moment?
Maharashtra government is playing and dancing as per the dictums of useless Congress and NCP , shiva Sena lost its creditability
It’s a fight between two dogs of different master.
This channel sd be shut and he sd be sent to a mental asylum
He knows that “freedom ends where others nose starts”, inspite of which he is acting like this. Should be taught a lesson so that he realises the fact “no one is aboce law”.
Thakkery dynasty is more concerned about the reputation of Sonia dynasty than the welfare of Corona affected Maharashtra people. Disgusting
S filing a case against republic tv and Arnab Goswami is very much required. It seems he is misusing relief given to him by SC majority public opinion about republic tv it’s purpose is to disharmony & distrust prevails in the society . It’s daily affair is to communalise any happenings so he should be banned .
Obviously, Mumbai police is coerced by not Arnab Goswami but the authority in power in Maharashtra. Asking questions about delay in investigation by Arnab is in no way terrorising or putting undue pressure over Mumbai police. In a similar
incident in Bulandsahar in UP, how come UP police caught hold of culprit in just 3 days whereas Mumbai police so efficient otherwise, failed to catch culprits even after 14 days. Obviously, Cong& NCP are using their old tactics of 60 years,not allowing police to do its duty and trying to dodge the case by misusing SC. It is sad commentary on NCP,Cong and SS trying to cover up the issue, thereby scorning at the death of innocent sadhus. It is shame to Mumbai police as well
One must start, – we will back Bombay Police – Champaign and show GO-Swami’s place!
R Nob is an overpaid rabble rouser, not a journalist. As an old hand, I have seen the likes of Arun Shourie who were extremely trenchant in their writing, but this guy’s stuff is closer to a gladiatorial sport. He does it for spectators baying for blood. I’d say feed him to the lions.
We are proud of Maharashtra Government that one who dared to tackle with the anti social activities, all are afraid of…….
Arnab Goswami is having blessings from the top of the leadership which is making him untouchable from any section of Law and gives him authority to insult any individual and even administration. The action taken by Airlines in the matter of discussion between Kamra and Arnab clearly indicated that the concerned Minister overstepped in the matter without any complaint filed by any person.
Arnab needs not only judicial enquiries, also third rate enquiry. As he has armed with ‘media’, ‘journalist’,’ press freedom ‘ tags, he will dilly dallying from enquiry. He will make the police enquiry as a mockery. He is backed by the powerful political party. So, Court may have to consider all these issues.
Something wrong with current ruling party in Maharashtra. Never thought about Bala Saheb Thakrey’s team against his basic. Really coward instead of expedite action over Palghar lynching their focus is to follow Congress.
Common sense is sufficient to know how police is hand in glove with bribery and corruption. FIR is filed for a common man only if he takes care of the PSI.
Since Arnab has questioned the Supremo, chelas of her are filing complaints. How did the police accept so many FIRs.
How did MH govt read Police give passes for 23 people aka as Wadhawan family to holiday during lockdown when we cant go for groceries. Simple case of money exchange..
Something wrong with current ruling party in Maharashtra. Never thought about Bala Saheb Thakrey’s team against his basic. Really coward instead of expedite action over Palghar lynching their focus is to follow Congress.
I am a police officer, I don’t fear of a so called journalist if I had done nothing wrong. CP Mumbai should not get terrorised by a journalist.
Mumbai Police is biased towards him as one can easily assess and he has every right to call it on his show.
This mad man, if not stop, will bring more communal and community hatred in India instead of feeding the people with news.
To cover up lynching of sadhus, its a shame on stooping
We support Arnab Goswami he is good and straight forward and truth saying guy As a indian i Support him and i Respect him
The attempt of Maharashtra government to expose the unfair practices of Arnab Goswamy is highly appreciable.
Punishment should be strict, if found guilty. So that godi media will be in line.
Sarkaar mein Congress ke gurgo, jinke ghar kanch ke hote hein wo dusro ke gharon par pathar nahin phenkte.
Arnab a threat to humanity in whole
Why police have to feel pressure ..
They failed to give protection to normal public..if anybody fails in their duty and then exposed they will get pressure ..
They tried to support negative people..it showed their weakness hence they are feeling pressure..
It not because of Any news channel and reporter…
Pl correct your mistakes
Arnab goswamy Is anti nationalist
Please arrest Arnab goswamy immediatly
This guy is all nonsense and noise. All his debates revolves around just two topic. Islamophobia and Pakistan. He would gets two shady retired loosers from Pakistan and bash them. Makes viewers feel as if we won another war against Pakistan and Muslims. Arnob is the first issue to irradicate before fixing terrorism, Muslim population and fake sadhus.
The old old saying: The police should keep doing their work under the thief’s beard. Before any journalist goes to court, it is more urgent to try to catch him.
बड़ी पुरानी कहावत चोर की दाढ़ी में तिनका पुलिस को अपना काम करते रहना चाहिए किसी पत्रकार के कोर्ट में जाने से पहले जल्दी आती है उसे पकड़ने की कोशिश ज्यादा जरूरी है।
Arnab goswami is BJP=RSS Sponsored highly paid and guided by MODI himself for false propaganda and hatred against Muslims and curbing opposition leaders one by one through Republic TV….
Hate factory it’s not journalism…Shame
*license not license, it is spelled wrong
I so much wish that someone really puts this mad dog out of his misery. He is a pain to the ear and is uncouth in everyway. Instead of ink someone should really throw something at him that really hurts him and shuts him up for good….a bullet, a knife or a some acid maybe.
The Mumbai police is acting as though interrogating Arnab and following the Congress diktat is more important!!
He may have crossed his lines and may have behaved excessively !!! Is that a serious offence or killing three people under their watch is more grave?? The police did buckle under pressure and failed in the Bandra assembly!! What’s so wrong in being questioned???
The police seem to be acting as cry babies… Why are the Congress workers so upset at their boss being called by her name when they have abused other people by all sorts of expletive????
What is an issue that Arnab ask some question to Sonia?Being congress party president she lie to whole country and poor labour that centre is taking money from who want reach their home,while center is paying 85%,she should be punished playing dirtiest politics at this time.Just shameless person.
No hope. Nothing will happen against Mr.Arnab. What can the public expect from the SC? Not hard to guess. The petition may be posted for hearing 6 months later.
Pressure politics being done to arnab goswami…. I am with Arnab goswami.
Someone should teach him a lesson. He has become too big for his boots. Haven’t seen an obnoxious and uncouth journalist like him.
This kind of journalism is shameful, the SC must take strict action against him and punish him by heavy penalty with atleast 3 months imprisonment. The others will get lesson not to play with false and unrealistic news
Udhav Thakrey is increasingly proving to be a silent & solid performer…
Way to go Mr. Thakrey
A great Arnab,a great journalist
Hame Ghar Jana jaruri hai
BIG PERSONS FROM ANY PARTS IN THE COUNTRY TO BE AWARE THE GENTLENESS , NOTHING TO DO AND ONCE IT HAPPENED TO BE DIGOUT ENTIRE RESOLUTIONARIES MEASURES OR LEAVE IT WITH A WORLD SORRY OR TO BE FINDOUT ANY FURTHER MIDLIST FORMULA.
Arnab Goswami, please don’t shout like a mad dog on your news channel and learn to respect all communities.
A class one “Badmash Genius “!! Earning crores of money to defend BJP and insult the whole India .He should be black listed from journalism for ever !!As a resident of Assam I feel ashamed of !!!
Mumbai police should not bow down to a fascist thug, at the same time should not allow him to be project himself as a victim.
Watch couple of rohit shetty movies ..
1 man vs government
Assam wala Arnab, please lower your voice on your news channel. And don’t shout like a madman.
Who is terrorizing whom? Gov,Police,Arnab,congress party. But why is mah gov. quite over sadhu killings in palghr,where as CM talked to UP CM and expressed concerned.What was Yogi’s reply? So much muddier the situation,only to save the dynasty? Love for power makes a tiger too dance!!!
If the Supreme Court had ordered not to arrest Goswami for three weeks, presumably to enable some investigation to take place regarding the charges made in those FIRs to see if his arrest was warranted, then the SC should also have ordered Goswami to not create FRESH COMPLICATIONS during these three weeks. Maintain a sort of status quo, otherwise his behavior during these three weeks MIGHT NECESSITATE URGENT ARREST. After all, three weeks is a very long period, and an alleged suspect, in this case Goswami, cannot be allowed to cock a snook at the investigators for 24×21=584 hours! That is precisely what seems to be happening. The SC must refrain Goswami at least now.
NO
He
Is
Not
A
Suspect
.
He is one who speaks truth about all those who love India.
True to your name, you must be winking when you said he “speaks truth”
Maharashtra police couldn’t enforce the lockdown, couldn’t arrest the attackers on Arnab and now they are moving to SC against Arnab. It’s so funny to see the dramas unfolding in India everyday.