The Arnab Goswami episode is refusing to die. After his blaming of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi for Palghar lynching on AIR FIRs were registered against him. FIRs have been registered against him in various states for hate speeches and for defamation.
Quashing all these FIRs the Republic TV editor-in-chief moved to Supreme Court on Thursday. This came after he released his video saying he and his wife have been attacked by Congress party’s goons.
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A bench of justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah heard his case on Friday. Arnab has requested the apex court that no coercive measures should be taken on FIRs registered against him. FIRs are registered against him in Maharashtra, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh and the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
In his appeal, Arnab has said the FIRs are an attempt to curb free speech and the Freedom of the Press under Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution. The Supreme Court on Friday granted 3 weeks of interim protection to Arnab.
The apex court in its judgment said the “no coercive action against the petitioner” must be taken. He can move an anticipatory bail application in three weeks, said the court. The court quashed all but one FIR filed at Nagpur against him.
The Nagpur FIR has now been transferred to Mumbai. The apex court also directed Mumbai Police Commissioner to provide security to Arnab Goswami and Republic TV.
