Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 4 (ANI): Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami was detained by Mumbai Police on Wednesday and alleged that he along with his mother-in-law, father-in-law, son and wife have been physically assaulted.
Mumbai Police entered Goswami’s residence today and allegedly physically assaulted his family members and him.
Republic TV channel telecast visuals of Mumbai Police entering Goswami’s residence and what appears to be a scuffle.
Goswami had earlier been booked in two cases related to his alleged provocative remarks and defaming Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi in a television debate on Palghar mob lynching incident and Bandra station crowding incident report at NM Joshi Marg police station and Pydhonie police station respectively.
The two cases were registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including provocation with intent to cause riots, defamation, statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes, criminal intimidation, and criminal conspiracy.
On June 30, the Bombay High Court stayed two FIRs registered against Goswami.
The Supreme Court, on October 26, adjourned for two weeks the hearing on an appeal filed by the Maharashtra government challenging the Bombay High Court order, which stayed the investigation against Arnab Goswami in connection with his alleged comments on his show over the Palghar lynching case.
In April this year, Goswami and his wife Samyabrata Ray were allegedly attacked when they were driving back home from the Republic TV Headquarters in Worli.
Arnab Goswami arrested in case without FIR, assaulted by 2 cops at his residence: Lawyer Gaurav Parker
Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami‘s lawyer Gaurav Parker on Wednesday said the journalist has been arrested in a case without FIR and he was assaulted by two police officials at his residence in Mumbai.
“Arnab Goswami was assaulted in his house by two police officers — Pravin Patil and Sachin. His family members were pushed and the house was cordoned off for three hours. There are abrasions on his left hand and an existing injury on his hand was tried to be torn apart by police. His arrest was not informed to his wife. But his arrest panchnama says his wife was informed. He was pulled by his belt and beaten on the back of the spine thereby he was injured,” Parker told reporters here.
“He appeals to the citizen of India to support him in the case especially when the FIR has been closed by a closure report in form of Form A, so there was no FIR. After the closure of the FIR, there is a re-investigation done by this police station. It appears that he has been arrested in that re-investigation. Still, we don’t have police papers in our hand,” he said.
Goswami was brought to Alibaug Police station in Raigad district in a police vehicle from his residence earlier in the day. The journalist has been arrested in the death case of interior designer Anvay Naik, who allegedly died by suicide in Alibaug in May 2018. A suicide note purportedly written by Naik alleged that Goswami had not paid him his dues. Later, Goswami was also named in the FIR of Naik’s death case.
A closure report was filed in the case in 2019, but the case was re-opened after Naik’s wife, Akshata, approached the court. In September this year, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had ordered re-investigation in the case after a fresh complaint by Naik’s daughter Adnya Naik. (ANI)
Arrest of Arnab Goswami reflects ‘totalitarian tendency’ to weaken fourth pillar of democracy: Rajnath Singh
Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said that the arrest of journalist Arnab Goswami reflects the “totalitarian tendency” to weaken the fourth pillar of democracy.
“The treatment of senior journalist Arnab Goswami is a symbol of the totalitarian tendency to weaken the fourth pillar of democracy and suppress the voice of protest. Congress should take note of the many instances, including the emergency, that the governments that oppress the press have suffered the wrath of fate,” Rajnath tweeted.
Meanwhile, BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda said that the way Giswani was arrested shows the mentality of the Congress party and Maharashtra Government.
Blatant misuse of state power against Arnab Goswami, reminds us of emergency: Amit Shah
New Delhi [India], November 4 (ANI): Lambasting at the Maharashtra government, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday termed action against Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami as “blatant misuse” of state power and it “reminds us of the emergency”.
“Congress and its allies have shamed democracy once again. Blatant misuse of state power against Republic TV & Arnab Goswami is an attack on individual freedom and the 4th pillar of democracy. It reminds us of the Emergency. This attack on free press must be and WILL BE OPPOSED,” Shah tweeted.
BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda called Goswami’s arrested as yet another instance of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi-directed antic of silencing those who disagree with them.
“Every person who believes in a free press and freedom of expression is furious at the Maharashtra Government’s bullying and harassment of Arnab Goswami. This is yet another instance of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi-directed antic of silencing those who disagree with them. Shameful!” Nadda tweeted.
“India didn’t forgive Indira Gandhi for the Emergency. India never forgave Rajiv Gandhi for his assault on press freedom. And now, India will again punish Sonia-Rahul Gandhi for their brazen and intimidating use of state power to get equal with journalists,” he tweeted.
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the supporters of emergency, Congress and Shivsena are displaying the same undemocratic brutality to crush any voice of dissent.
“Although emergency was defeated in 1977, the mentality is still alive! Today, supporters of emergency-Congress and Shivsena displaying the same undemocratic brutality to crush any voice of dissent. India has always fought such forces & struggle will continue,” he tweeted.
