The Supreme Court Friday granted protection against anycoercive steps for three weeks to Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami inconnection with some FIRs lodged against him in various states for allegeddefamatory statements made during the news shows on recent Palghar mob-lynchingof three persons including two saints in Maharashtra.
A bench comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah, ina hearing conducted through video conferencing, took note of the submissions ofsenior advocate Mukul Rohatgi and said that Goswami shall be protected againstany coercive steps for the telecast of the alleged defamatory news programmesaired on the news channels.
It also said that Goswami can later file anticipatory bailplea in connection with the FIRs after three weeks and he should cooperate withthe investigating agency.
The top court allowed Goswami to amend his plea forimpleading the complainants against him as parties in the apex court and alsopermitted him to seek clubbing of FIRs lodged against him.
The plea, seeking reliefs such as quashing of FIRs andprotection from coercive measures, said that several FIRs have been registeredagainst Goswami in different parts of the country.