SC grants interim bail to Arnab
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted interim bail to journalist Arnab Goswami in the 2018 abetment to suicide case, saying it will be a “travesty of justice” if personal liberty is curtailed”. The apex court also expressed concern over state governments targeting individuals on the basis of ideology. The court granted interim bail to two others in the case -- Nitish Sarda and Parveen Rajesh Singh -- on personal bond of Rs 50,000 each.
NEW DELHI: Republic TV’s Arnab Goswami has been granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in a 2018 abetment to suicide case. He and two others were arrested last week in connection with the suicide of architect Anvay Naik and his mother.
A two-judge bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Indira Banerjee pulled up the Maharashtra government over the anchor’s arrest as they heard the petition through video conferencing.
“If we as a constitutional court do not lay down law and protect liberty, then who will,” the Supreme Court said during the hearing. “The victim is entitled to recourse as in proper and fair probe,” the judges ruled. The Supreme Court said Goswami must cooperate with the probe and added that the release must not be delayed by two days and asked them to furnish bonds of Rs 50,000.
The apex court, however, had some tough words for the Maharashtra government over the TV anchor’s arrest last Wednesday.
The Supreme Court questioned whether not paying up money amounted to abetting suicide and asked: “If tomorrow, a person commits suicide in Maharashtra and blames the government, then will the Chief Minister be arrested?”
Justice Chandrachud said governments should “ignore taunts on TV” as our democracy is “extraordinarily resilient”, referring to Goswami’s criticism of the Maharashtra government.
“But the answer is simple. If you don’t like a channel then don’t watch it... if left to me, I do not watch the channel and you may differ in ideology, but if constitutional courts do not interfere today, we are traveling the path of destruction undeniably,” said the judge.
After the ruling, a large crowd also gathered outside the Taloja Jail in Navi Mumbai, to greet Goswami. A few were also seen lighting diyas. Actor Kangana Ranaut took to Twitter to “welcome” the TV anchor. ““Yes it’s a big day for our family but just got to know ki #arnabisback So here we go ... Welcome back dear friend,” Kangana wrot.