Arnab Goswami's Arrest: Bombay High Court to hear both sides & pass orders at 3pm tomorrow

Bombay High Court on Thursday posted petition of Republic Media Network's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami against his arrest by Maharashtra police for hearing on Friday at 3 pm. bench comprising Justices SS Shinde and MS Karnik will consider prayer for an interim order for release, following Arnab's assault and arrest by Maharashtra police on Wednesday morning in a case that had been closed in 2019 and n 'reopened' by police without taking court's d. Allowing informant in abetment to suicide case to be impleaded into plea, Justice Shinde said that bench will hear both sides and pass an appropriate order on Thursday.

'A citizen has been illegally detained,' argues Arnab's lawyer

Advocate Abad Ponda, while arguing for Arnab Goswami had said, "A citizen has been illegally detained. Even a second's illegal detention cant be countenanced by a constitutional court. I should be given an ad-interim order of release." He raised how 'A Summary' report had been filed in case and that investigation by police cant w take place without altering closure report.

Senior Advocate Harish Salve who also appeared for Arnab Goswami asked bench to give permission to amend petition and add informant in court itself, as complainant's plea was also listed for Thursday. "Give us oral leave. informant is here and may be heard w itself. Will file a formal amendment tomorrow," he said.  bench n gave permission to amend petition to implead informant in petition. 

On Wednesday, Chief Judicial Magistrate of Alibag court had observed that re was connection in chain of suicide in case in which Arnab was arrested, which was earlier closed in 2019 and w reopened, and Arnab Goswami's role. Secondly, judge ted that case had been re-opened without court's consent. CJM also observed that re is 'justifiable ground' for police custody sought as he prounced judgment. 

In ar one p order, CJM ted harassment, torture and ill-treatment meted out to Arnab when he was in police station. "He (Arnab) has a complaint of ill-treatment at hands of police. I have physically verified person of accused. I found abrasion on right hand of accused. previous band of his right-hand thumb is found to be pulled. COnsidering abovesaid abrasion marks it is important upon Court to send him for medical examination to Civil Surgeon. refore, I pass following order," order states.

Shocking assault and arrest of Arnab Goswami

After a shocking assault on Wednesday morning, Republic Media Network's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami was arrested by police. Arnab was dragged out of his own home as nearly 40-50 police officers cordoned off his residence. Moreover, cops also attacked his 20-year-old son and manhandled him as he tried to capture brazen attack by Mumbai Police on camera.

After arrest, Maharashtra Police took him to Alibag Police Station and stated that he has been arrested under charges of abetment of suicide in 2018 Anvay Naik case - which was closed in 2019 but has w been reopened. Apart from harassing Arnab at his own residence, cops also blocked Republic Executive Editor Niranjan Narayanswamy and Senior Associate Editor Sanjay Pathak from entering Arnab's residence. When Niranjan said that it is his right to report, he was thrown out of building and Mumbai Police attempted to take away his phone.

READ | BJP MLA demands Maharashtra CM & HM's resignation as court denies police custody of Arnab

READ | Former ASG & Sushant's family lawyer Vikas Singh slams 'tendency' in Arnab Goswami arrest

Prior to being produced before court, Arnab highlighted injuries on his arms on camera as he stated that he was assaulted by 7 police officers. "I've shown it to doctors. It was Pradeep Patil, Sachin Vaze and 7 or policemen. y surrounded me, held me by scruff of my neck, pushed me," Arnab said just before entering court.

READ | Alibag CJM had ted Arnab Goswami's injuries during arrest; sought immediate medical exam

READ | SP Raigad summoned over Arnab Goswami's arrest by Maharashtra HRC; full details sought