India stands with Arnab Goswami; Tough questions on illegal arrest from all corners

As Raig police suddenly shifted Republic Media Network Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami to Taloja jail on Sunday after 4 nights in Judicial custody, support has poured from across nation, demanding relief from courts, condemning arrest. Arnab, while being shifted from quarantine centre in Alibag to Taloja jail, said, "My life is under threat. My life is under threat. t being allowed to speak to lawyers. y assaulted me this morning. Please tell people of India my life is under threat". This revelation, me from behind black screens on police van's windows, has stoked immense support from several eminent TV panelists, journalists, Army veterans and common people of India.

Watch Arnab's statement while being transferred to Taloja jail:

'We are going to President today': Maj Gen Bakshi

Army veteran Maj Gen GD proclaimed that he will be visiting President Ram Nath Kovind - along with some former soldiers and citizens - to discuss  appalling situation since Arnab's arrest. Bombay High Court will prounce its order on Monday, 3 PM on Arnab's plea - challenging his arrest, seeking bail, quashing of FIR against him in 2018 Anvay Naik suicide case. Arnab has been allowed to approach sessions court to seek bail, with High Court directing court to decide on matter within four days. court has clubbed Naik family's case seeking re-investigation into case with Arnab's plea.

'My life is under threat, please tell people': Arnab while being moved to Taloja jail

Legal questions for police

Some supporters have questioned legality of manner in which Arnab was arrested by Mumbai and Raig police. Asking why Arnab was arrested inspite of his continued co-operation in various cases, Twitter users have wondered if re were any or alternatives. Pointing out grave infringement of fundamental rights and press freedom, citizens have expressed dismay at 'failure of law and order in state'. Arnab h been sent to 14-day judicial custody by Alibag magistrate court.

Here are some of questions being asked: 

Eminent personalists demand Arnab's immediate release

160 citizens including journalists, educators, armed forces veterans, govt officers, civil servants, philanthropists, authors, private professionals, entrepreneurs, doctors, public figures have penned a letter demanding release of Arnab, terming his arrest an 'assault on India's democratic soul and destiny'. Apart from se citizens, artists from Jammu too have condemned his arrest terming it 'unwarranted and unjustified'. Citizens across India, including several socio-political groups have taken to streets in Guwahati, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, supporting Arnab, raising slogans against Maharashtra government.

After Arnab expresses threat to life, Samyabrata Ray Goswami appeals for intervention

Citizens & journalists Condemn Arnab's arrest:

'I want Supreme Court to help me': Arnab Goswami from police van enroute Taloja jail

Protests At Taloja Jail

Protests are also ongoing outside Taloja jail where Arnab Goswami has been taken, with people holding placards in support of Republic Media Network's Editor-in-Chief. Protestors raised slogans saying, "Maharashtra government come to your senses. Release Arnab Goswami. We are with you, Arnab." This is amid days of continuing protests across cities for Arnab Goswami ever since he was arrested.

Arnab Goswami's shocking arrest

On Wednesday at 7:45 AM, Mumbai Police barged into house of Republic Media Network's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, forcefully dragged him out, even refusing to let him wear his shoes, arresting him under Section 306 of Indian Penal Code in 2018 Anvay Naik suicide case. While being bundled into a police van, Arnab claimed 'y assaulted me. y beat my son'. Arnab was neir served prior summons r allowed access to his legal team. 

Mumbai police n handed him over to Raig police, which took him to Alibag Police Station, where his lawyer informed that Arnab h suffered an injury on his left hand after being heckled by police. After a 5-hour long remand hearing, however, Chief Judicial Magistrate rejected granting custody to Raig police and Arnab was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody. Critically, while prouncing her order in remand hearing, CJM too observed that re is chain showing nexus between suicide and role of accused i.e. Arnab.

Bombay HC to prounce order in Arnab Goswami's plea against illegal arrest on Monday

Case in Bombay HC

Over three days of arguments, senior vocate Harish Salve, arguing for Arnab's release stated that permission h been taken by police for reopening 2018 Anvay Naik abetment of suicide case in which Arnab has been arrested, as per order of Chief Judicial Magistrate, ding ' arrest is illegal'. On or hand, Maharashtra government has defended 'arrest' of Arnab, stating that if 'illegal arrest has resulted in judicial remand', questioning of arrest is 't relevant'. It also maintained that state govt has power to direct investigation, ting that remand order has t been challenged by Arnab. two-judge bench comprising of Justices S S Shinde and M S Karnik ordered that bail can be sought by Arnab from sessions court, which has to be resolved in four days, while setting Monday as date to prounce a verdict on case.