The Bombay High Court today directed Republic TV Editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami to appear before the Mumbai Police for interrogation on June 10, while adjourning the hearing in his plea for quashing of FIRs till Friday. The Bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Riyaz Chagla directed the same after a brief hearing today.
After the Supreme Court refused to quash the FIRs filed against Goswami in Maharashtra and directed him to approach the appropriate forum, Goswami moved the Bombay High Court. Goswami’s counsel, Senior Counsel Harish Salve, sought an exemption from appearing before the police for interrogation till the matter was sub judice before the Court. This prayer was objected to by Senior Counsel Kapil Sibal, representing the State of Maharashtra.
It was contended on behalf of Arnab Goswami that despite the pendency of his matter before the Court, Pydhonie Police Station had requisitioned his presence for interrogation in relation to the FIR filed by the Secretary of Raza Foundation. Pydhonie is a COVID-19 containment zone, it was pointed out.
The Court thus directed Goswami to appear before the NM Joshi Marg Police Station for questioning on June 10 as scheduled, and listed the matter for hearing next on June 12.
