Hate speech case: SC junks Arnab’s plea for CBI probe

nNEWDELHI:THE Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed journalist Arnab Goswami’s request to transfer the investigation into his alleged hate speech case from the Mumbai Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), but extended his protection from arrest for three more weeks.

Goswami faces two FIRS in relation to hate speech. The Court did not quash the main FIR nor the fresh one filed at Pydhonie and asked Goswami to move the competent court for relief.

In a 56-page order on Tuesday, the bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah said that “India’s freedoms will rest safe as long as journalists can speak to power without being chilled by a threat of reprisal.”

At the same time, it felt no journalist was immune from investigation. Leaving the FIR at NM Joshi Marg P.S standing, the court quashed multiple FIRS it had earlier stayed.

The Court did not quash the main FIR nor the fresh one filed at Pydhonie.

Goswami was asked to move the competent court for seeking relief on this. It also clarified that its decision should not be seen as expression of views on merits of the case.

Arnab’s advocate on record in SC, Pragya Baghel said, “Judgment has affirmed the right of press as guaranteed...court has held that India’s freedoms will rest safe as long as journalists can speak to power without being chilled by a threat of reprisal.” distance in two hours.

Earlier, back in the time when there was no pandemic and the tea stall was running smoothly, Mayawati would commute daily from home to the stall in bus no. 427.

“Shera is a very seedha saadha bachha (well-behaved child); he doesn’t bark, doesn’t bite.” Seemingly indifferent to his praise, the dog is sitting silently on the edge of the road, his head plopped down on the cooling mud. Mayawati admits she is eagerly looking forward to reopen her chai stall “as soon as other stalls nearby too open up... let’s wait and see.”

The stall supports her family of four children—her husband died some years ago.

“My eldest just gave her 12th board exams,” she says. Following a long pause, she expresses her hope that “all my children will have a good life, but that is a matter of fate.” Soon afterwards, Sheru climbs on the pavement and walks towards Mayawati. She quietly caresses his head. The dog looks happy, as if reassuring his friend that it would all turn out OK, it has to.