Maharashtra Government on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner of Mumbai (Zone III) has filed an application in the Supreme Court demanding to issue an order against Arnab Goswami to separate him from the investigation agency from any pressure or threat or coercion so that the investigating agencies could carry out a fair probe.
The application accuses Goswami of making the false and baseless allegations and publicly trying to malign the Mumbai Police and their manner of investigation.
Previous Order by the Apex Court
On 24th April, the Supreme Court granted interim protection from arrest for three weeks. Goswami had moved the apex court after over 100 FIR’s filed against him across Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir.
The FIR filed accused him of making the “inflammatory statement” and defaming the congress interim Sonia Gandhi.
A bench of Justice D.Y Chandrachud and M.R. Shah granted him protection from 3 weeks and said no coercive action to be taken against him for 2 weeks.
The bench ordered staying of all the FIR’s against him, except the one at Nagpur.
The FIR filed at Nagpur was transferred to Mumbai for the investigation by Mumbai Police, along with the FIR filed by Goswami alleging that he was attacked by two goons on a motorcycle on 23rd April in the city.
The bench said that Court intended to protect the petitioner for 3 weeks and permit him to move anticipatory bail application before the Trial Court or High Court.
Application by the Maharashtra Government
The application filed by the Maharashtra Government claims that Goswami is taking advantage of his interim protection granted him by the court and cause subtle threats and intimidating the investigating agency.
The Application prayed for restraining him from doing such acts. The government also asserted that the Goswami has “used, abused, and misused” his power and position as a journalist or an editor.
The application states that the various threats had also been made on his organization’s Twitter account of Republic’s Hindi channel Republic Bharat alleging that the police were biased against the petitioner or the police are unnecessarily questioned him for several hours.
On his debate show “Puchta Hai Bharat” Goswami made a false allegation against the commissioner of Mumbai Police, stating that he had suppressed the Petitioner’s FIR.
It said Goswami mentioned “India Bulls Scam” on his show and claimed that several police officers including the commissioner were involved in it and he was going to investigate the same.
The application reads as the statements made in the debate on his channel are aimed at browbeating, terrorizing, and intimidating the investigating officer.
Application filed on behalf of Advocate Sachin Patil finally demanded the Hon’ble Court issue appropriate direction to maintain the balance between the rights of the petitioner as a citizen as well as a senior journalist and also of the investigating agency to investigate without any fear, threat or pressure.
The applicant also stated that the conduct of the petitioner which is marked with arrogance would be more or less encroaching upon the area of investigation. Because the principle of law, equity, and justice all are at stake.
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