The Karnataka High Court has strongly criticised the state police for filing a case against Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami without valid grounds, stating that the move appeared to be an attempt to target him due to his media prominence.
The court observed that Goswami was named in the case without justification, suggesting that the action was merely aimed at creating the impression of legal trouble for him.
The case, which stemmed from a news report aired by Republic TV Kannada in March last year, alleged that an ambulance was delayed on Bengaluru’s MG Road to allow Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s convoy to pass.
However, Congress member Ravindra MV, who filed the complaint, pointed out that Siddaramaiah was in Mysuru on that day, not in Bengaluru. Based on this, Goswami was booked under Section 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with statements that could incite enmity between groups.
Goswami challenged the case in the Karnataka High Court, arguing that he was not involved in Republic TV Kannada’s daily operations and had no direct role in the report’s broadcast.
The court questioned the state government on why Goswami was named in the FIR when he had no personal involvement. When asked to specify the offence Goswami had committed, the state failed to provide a response.
The bench, led by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, ultimately dismissed the case, highlighting that Goswami’s name was included in the FIR without evidence or reason.
The court remarked that the case was filed recklessly, seemingly as an act of political vendetta, and criticised the authorities for misusing legal provisions.
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