'Arnab Goswami was booked recklessly to settle scores': Karnataka HC
What's the story
The Karnataka High Court has quashed a criminal case against Republic News Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami over allegations of airing fake news about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Justice M Nagaprasanna slammed the Karnataka police for booking Goswami "irresponsibly and recklessly" in a criminal case to settle scores.
"Merely because the petitioner (Goswami) is a renowned name in the fourth estate, he is without rhyme and reason dragged into the web of crime," the court said, per Bar and Bench.
Case details
FIR against Goswami followed complaint by Congress member
The first FIR against Goswami was registered after a private complaint by Karnataka Congress member Ravindra MV.
Ravindra had alleged that on March 27 last year, Republic TV Kannada aired a news story claiming that traffic in Bengaluru's MG Road area was stopped to enable passage for Siddaramaiah and, hence, an ambulance was not given the right of way.
Siddaramaiah was not in Bengaluru but in Mysuru at the time.
Charges explained
Goswami charged under IPC Section 505(2)
Goswami was later booked by the police under Section 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for the offense of having made statements "creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes."
He then moved the High Court to quash the case.
During earlier hearings, Senior Advocate Aruna Shyam, appearing for Goswami, had told the court that the news report was deleted as soon as it was realized to be incorrect.
Legal scrutiny
Court questions Goswami's implication in the case
The court wondered why Goswami, who wasn't even involved in the daily affairs of Republic TV Kannada, was dragged.
Justice Nagaprasanna said, "The petitioner is dragged in only because he is Arnab Goswami."
The court found no evidence of Goswami committing any offense or making statements to promote hatred.
It concluded that his implication showed an attempt to settle other scores.
Verdict details
Court finds no substance in complaint against Goswami
Noting that even if the complaint's allegations were true, the court observed that they didn't fulfill Section 505(2) IPC's criteria against Goswami.
Justice Nagaprasanna said, "Except malafides, there is no substance in the complaint."
The court held further investigation as an abuse of legal process and a miscarriage of justice.
The ruling stressed obliterating "the Damocles sword hanging on the head of the petitioner of an irresponsible crime registered against him."