SC Grants Arnab Goswami 21 Day Protection From Arrest Over Cases Filed By Congress; Stays All FIRs Except One

The Supreme Court on Friday (24 April) granted a three week protection from arrest to senior journalist Arnab Goswami over multiple FIRs which haven been filed against him by Congress functionaries following his on-air criticism of Sonia Gandhi, Live Law has reported.

Under its order the Supreme Court bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah also stayed probes in all cases against Arnab except one filed in Nagpur. That case will be transferred to Mumbai and all allegations against Arnab will be investigated though it.

During the course of the hearing Justice Chandrachud also said that there should be no restraint on the media and he was averse to imposing the same.

The apex court thus granted time for the clubbing of all complaints against Arnab into one and ruled that no investigation would be carried out in FIRs filed over this issue in the future.

Arnab can now move an anticipatory bail application in the next three weeks to extend the duration of his protection from arrest.