SC GIVES ARNAB PROTECTION FROM ARREST
The Supreme Court on Friday issued show cause notice to the secretary of Maharashtra legislative assembly asking him to explain in two weeks as to why the contempt proceedings be not initiated against him for his letter to Arnab Goswami purportedly cautioning him against disclosing house notice to the top court. The SC also granted protection from arrest to Goswami in the case.
The Supreme Court on Friday issued show cause notice to the Secretary of Maharashtra legislative assembly asking him to explain in two weeks as to why the contempt proceedings be not initiated against him for his letter to journalist Arnab Goswami purportedly cautioning him against disclosing house notice to the top court.
The apex court, which also granted protection from arrest to the journalist in the Maharashtra assembly breach of privilege motion case, took strong note of the October 13 letter of the assembly secretary and said he has prima facie committed its contempt.
A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde expressed anger when senior lawyer Harish Salve, appearing for Goswami, referred to the contents of the letter of the assembly secretary to the journalist.
The bench said it was “surprised” that the officer in question has written such a letter stating the assembly proceedings were confidential and
should not have been disclosed.
Meanwhile, there was no immediate relief for Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, arrested in a 2018 abetment of suicide case, on Friday as the hearing on his interim bail plea before the Bombay high court remained incomplete.
A division bench of Justices S S Shinde and M S Karnik said they would continue the hearing on Saturday because of lack of time. “We will assemble for this matter specially tomorrow noon,” the court said.
Goswami was arrested in Mumbai on Wednesday where a case has been registered against him for alleged abetment of suicide of architect Anvay Naik and his mother.