In what comes as shot in the arm for Arnab Goswami in his battle against Sonia Gandhi (Antonia Maino) and Congress, the Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed all the subsequent FIRs and complaints against Arnab after all the FIRs were merged into a single FIR earlier. In its order, it has also extended protection to Arnab Goswami against any coercive action by three weeks. More importantly, the Supreme Court has made some important observations about the freedom of press which is a tight slap on Sonia and her lackeys.
Sonia and her lackeys filed identical FIRs in all Congress ruled states in a bid to silence and harass Goswami for his attempts to ask tough questions to the Congress president. The SC had earlier merged all the FIRs into a single FIR and now has quashed all the subsequent FIRs and also stated that no fresh FIRs pertaining to this matter will be entertained as the SC observed that multiple complaints have ‘stifling effect’. Goswami’s protection against coercive steps has also been extended by three weeks.
5. Criminal defamation claim shut down by Supreme Court. "FIR does not offence criminal defamation". This is a big victory for #ArnabGoswami who was questioned by Mumbai Police for criminal defamation. Entire Congress narrative that Arnab defamed Sonia Gandhi has been bludgeoned. https://t.co/l8APVN0I2Y
— Pradeep Bhandari(प्रदीप भंडारी)🇮🇳 (@pradip103) May 19, 2020
The Supreme Court observed that the multiple FIRs were identical as it observed, “All FIRs and complaints arising out of the same broadcast made by the petitioner. Complaints in identical terms. The language content and sequencing of complaints are identical.”
BREAKING: Supreme Court extends protection of #ArnabGoswami against coercive steps by three weeks. Goswami allowed to pursue appropriate remedy. Mumbai Commissioner ordered to ensure protection of Goswami.
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) May 19, 2020
In a major setback for Antonia Maino and her lackeys, their narrative that Arnab Goswami defamed their supreme leader lies in tatters as it observed, “FIR does not offence criminal defamation.”
Supreme Court protects #Arnab & freedom of press
1. Quashes multiple FIR filed in Congress ruled states.
2. Free citizens can't exist if news media can't speak
3. Protection against coercive steps extended for 3 weeks.
4. Blow 2 Mumbai police : interim application dismissed— Pradeep Bhandari(प्रदीप भंडारी)🇮🇳 (@pradip103) May 19, 2020
However, the Court has refused to quash the FIR against Goswami as it said that there can be no quashing of FIR under Article 32. However, it was Justice Chandrachud’s statement while delivering the verdict which is grabbing all the headlines. The honourable Judge said, “The exercise of journalistic freedom lies at the core of speech and expression protected by Article 19(1)(a). The petitioner is a media journalist. The airing of views on television shows which he hosts is in the exercise of his fundamental right to speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a). India‟s freedoms will rest safe as long as journalists can speak to power without being chilled by a threat of reprisal.”
However, one of Arnab’s key demands to transfer the case to the CBI has been rejected by the court. The FIR was filed by Raza Educational Welfare Society’s secretary, Irfan Abubakar Shaikh which alleges that Arnab Goswami tried to communalise the Bandra fiasco where ‘migrants’ assembled in large numbers.
Senior Congress leader, Kapil Sibal who was appearing for the state of Maharashtra was earlier pulled up for identical FIRs in different states across the country. Sibal’s remarks that if the case is transferred to CBI will effectively mean that, “investigation will go into your hands” was strongly protested by Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General of India. Mehta also added that, “12 hours questioning towards a citizen in such type of case, is really disturbing, I think.”
It remains to be seen what happens next in this legal battle as Arnab seems to have an upper hand especially with truth and advocate Harish Salve on his side.
