New Delhi, May 19: The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami’s petitions seeking quashing of two FIRs against him for allegedly communalising lynching of two Hindu sadhus at Palghar and an incident of migrant workers gathering at Bandra railway station in Mumbai during COVID19 lockdown.
Maintaining that quashing of FIRs couldn’t be done on a petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, a Bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud said he could pursue appropriate remedy before a competent court.
The Bench — which also included Justice MR Shah — turned down his plea for transfer of cases being probed by police in Maharashtra to the CBI. However, it extended the protection from coercive action given to him for further three weeks.The top court ordered the Mumbai Police Commissioner to ensure protection of Goswami who was once attacked while heading home from work last month.
No other FIR or complaint shall be entertained or pursued on the basis of broadcast made by Goswami on April 21 on lynching of Hindu saints at Palghar, the top court said while ordering consolidation of FIRs.
