Mumbai: Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Mumbai police to give three days’ notice to Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami in case they decide to take any coercive action against him during the course of investigation.
The court has also admitted Goswami’s petition challenging Mumbai police’s investigation in the TRP scam, and granted Goswami protection from arrest.
A division bench of Justices SS Shinde and Manish Pitale also held that petitioner Goswami will be at liberty to approach the court against such notice.
“Serious malafides have been alleged by the petitioner (Arnab Goswami), ” the bench observed.
During the hearing Chief Public Prosecutor Deepak Thakare for the Mumbai Police informed the court that they will complete the investigation, qua the petitioners, within 12 weeks.
The court has granted the Mumbai Police time to investigate the other channels.
The bench said that in light of Bhajan Lal’s case, the investigation can continue. “Investigation is the exclusive purview of the investigating agency, investigation will not be interfered with by court at this stage.”
The court adjourned the further hearing to June 28.
