Supreme Court announces relief to Arnab Goswami

Mumbai : The Supreme Court has announced interim relief to Republic TV Editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami from arrest for two weeks after several FIRs were filed against him in few states over his remarks on the TV show related to Palghar lynching. 

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah was hearing the plea filed by the journalist via video conferencing.

In his plea through advocate Pragya Baghel, Goswami has sought protection from any coercive action on the basis of the FIRs.

Appearing for the television news anchor, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi criticized the "frivolous complaints against his client" and said the FIRs were an attempt to muzzle the press. "There can't be multiple FIRs with same cause of action," he told the bench.

Referring to the television debate on the Palghar lynching case, Rohatgi said, "When there is political debate, there will be provocative questions. If sadhus have been killed and there is a turmoil within the Hindu community, then why are you not raising any questions? This is the nature of the dispute."

Rohatgi also referred to the the alleged attack on Goswami and his wife and called it a "murderous assault" on the duo.