BJP's Kapil Mishra slams Maharashtra govt & Mumbai Police for witch-hunt against Republic

BJP neta Kapil Mishra slammed the Maharashtra government and the Param Bir Singh-led Mumbai Police's witch-hunt against Republic Media Network, pointing out that the media's freedom was being crushed in the state of Maharashtra. 

On Friday, Mumbai Police filed an FIR against the entire editorial team of the network, including 1000 employees & top editors of the Network. The Mumbai police has booked the case for a serious non-bailable offence for incitement to disaffection among members of the Police Force and defaming Mumbai Police, invoking a 1922 law that was last used in the emergency-era. This is just the latest action in an unbridled witch-hunt against the network.

READ | Arnab Goswami Joins Republic's Team At Mumbai Police Station In Support Against Witch-hunt

Strongly backing Republic Media Network, BJP leader Kapil Mishra implored the Maharashtra government to stop the witch-hunt and highlighted that the state was functioning in the 'Goonda style'. Further, Kapil Mishra said that the Maharashtra government and the Mumbai Police were suppressing the voice of Republic Media Network as the questions raised by them were 'strong, true and difficult to face'. 

READ | Arnab Goswami Roars 'we'll Win & Win Big' As Param Bir Deploys 1922 Law To Target Republic

'Emergency era tactics used': Arnab Goswami

"It is quite clear to the people of India that Param Bir Singh has been caught and tapes released show he has put up fake witnesses. It is also a fact that 1000 journalists of the Republic Media Network now face an FIR. I want the people of India to know that the clause used by Param Bir Singh is a 98-year-old clause dating back to 1922 of the British Raj. It is a clause that has not been used in the Indian Constitution or by the Mumbai Police for 34 years or more, which means it is an Emergency era clause. Param Bir Singh is carrying out police terrorism and trying Emergency tactics in a free country. I do believe that the criminal process and breach of law is something which will be noticed by everyone - the Court, the media and the police themselves. We will fight this battle and win", said Arnab Goswami, as he reached the NM Joshi Marg police station where Republic's Senior Associate Editor Shawan Sen had been summoned as part of the witch-hunt.

READ | NEWS RELEASE: FIR Filed Against Entire Republic Editorial Staff In Blatant Abuse Of Office

Witch-hunt against Republic Media Network

Republic employees have been questioned for over a combined 100 hours in this brazen attack on freedom of the press. Arnab Goswami has been questioned for 20 hours, Niranjan Narayanaswamy for 17 hours, Senior Executive Editor Abhishek Kapoor for 7 hours, Republic Media Network CEO Vikas Khanchandanani for 7 hours, Assistant Vice President Ghanshyam Singh for 25 hours, CFO Sundaram for 32 hours and COO Harsh Bhandari for 8 hours.

Two shocking decisions dominated proceedings on Friday. First, Section 91 notice was filed against Republic TV, that sought details of the smallest transactions, like cost of tissue, papers among others. This was followed by FIR against all employees of Republic Media Network, that sent shockwaves across the nation. These are just the latest in a concerted and single-minded witch-hunt against the network which has been utterly and comprehensively exposed fact-by-fact at every turn.

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