The Supreme Court has reserved its order on Arnab Goswami, the Republic TV Editor-in-Chief’s plea, which sought quashing of the FIRs against him, alleging communalizing of the Bandra Railway Station Incident, where migrants gathered in large numbers, resulting in violation of national lockdown.
The verdict will be pronounced within two days by the bench, headed by Justice DYChandrachud. The court has also extend his protection against any coercive action by Mumbai Police.The bench has suggested Goswami to approach the Bombay High Court to quash the fresh FIRs lodged against him.
The Secretary of Raza Educational Welfare Society has filed the FIR against Goswami, accusing him of disturbing communal harmony and peace through his TV show, Republic Bharat, as he communalized the incident of migrants gathering together at Bandra Railway Station.
Petitioner has argued that there should be a balance between freedom of speech and the sanctity of criminal investigation as they could have a chilling effect on the Freedom of the press.
The advocate for Maharashtra government, Senior Adv. Kapil Sibal, argued that Goswami has made false allegations against the Congress party regarding the Palghar incident, where two Hindu seers and their driver were lynched. This has triggered communal violenceas Goswami ceased to follow public decency and morality.
Earlier, Maharashtra government filed an application to cancel the three weeks interim protection granted to him by the Supreme Court, as he was abusing the same and was heckling the police in interrogation.
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