Arnab Goswami gets interim bail from SC in 2018 abetment to suicide case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (November 11) granted interim bail to Republic TV Editor-in-Chief, Arnab Goswami, in the 2018 abetment to suicide case.

A vacation bench of Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Indira Banerjee also granted interim bail to two others – Nitish Sarda and Parveen Rajesh Singh – on personal bond of ₹ 50,000 each.

The bench said their release should not be delayed and the prison authorities should facilitate this.

Related News: Bombay HC rejects Arnab’s bail plea

“SC is unhappy that HCs, which are constitutional courts, are not doing enough in matters where personal liberty is denied…,” Justice Chandrachud said, Indian Express reported.

“If this court were not to interfere today, we are travelling on a path of destruction of personal liberty undeniably…Is this is what our state governments will do to those who have to be nailed…? Don’t watch the channel if you don’t like… Left to myself I will not watch… If state governments target individuals in this manner, let’s send out a message that Supreme Court is there,” he added.

Related News: All the world’s a stage for Arnab

“To make out a case of abetment, there has to be active incitement and encouragement. If money is owed to a person, is that a case of abetment to suicide? A owes money to B. B due to financial stress commits suicide. Will it attract offence under section 306 IPC? We are dealing with personal liberty here and because he was owed money, Naik committed suicide due to financial stress. Is this a case for custodial interrogation?” Justice Chandrachud said, according to LiveLaw.

The top court directed that Goswami, Sarda and Singh shall not tamper with evidence and cooperate in the probe in the case.

Goswami had challenged the Bombay High Court’s November 9 order refusing to grant him and two others interim bail in the case and asked them to move the trial court for relief.

The accused were arrested by Alibaug police in Maharashtra’s Raigad district on November 4 in connection with the suicide of architect-interior designer, Anvay Naik and his mother, in 2018 over alleged non-payment of dues to them by the companies of the accused.

(With inputs from PTI)