The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted interim bail to Republic TV Editor-in-Chief, Arnab Goswami in the case concerning the suicide of interior designer, Anvay Naik and his mother Kumud Naik.
After hearing a special leave petition filed by Arnab Goswami, the apex court granted bail to the Republic TV chief.
He was arrested on November 4 from his Mumbai residence.
Goswami had challenged a Bombay High Court order of November 9 which had rejected his bail plea and had asked him to move Sessions court for regular bail.
The plea by Goswami before the Supreme Court stated that his arrest was “illegal, mala-fide and politically motivated”.
The matter was heard by a Supreme Court Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Indira Banerjee.
The apex court bench said Goswami along with Nitish Sarda and Parveen Rajesh Singh should be released on interim bail on a bond of Rs 50,000.
The top court also directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure the order is followed with immediate effect.
The Supreme Court also said Republic TV editor-chief Goswami and the two others should not tamper with evidence and cooperate with the authorities in the investigation into the abetment to the suicide case.
Goswami had moved the top court after the Bombay High Court on Monday rejected his plea to grant interim bail and the two others in the case.
The Bombay High Court will hear the plea seeking to quash the FIR on December 10.
The three were arrested by Alibaug police in Raigad district of Maharashtra 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 by companies of the accused.
Meanwhile, Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has expressed happiness at the apex court’s decision to grant bail to Goswami.
Sarma tweeted: “I am extremely pleased that Hon #SupremeCourt has granted an interim bail to #ArnabGoswami. With this, I sincerely hope the wicked witch hunt against @republic Editor in Chief, and the channel, comes to an end. Justice prevails!”
I am extremely pleased that Hon #SupremeCourt has granted an interim bail to #ArnabGoswami. With this, I sincerely hope the wicked witch hunt against @republic Editor in Chief, and the channel, comes to an end.
Justice prevails!#ArnabIsBack
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 11, 2020