MUMBAI: The Supreme Court has reserved the orders on the writ petition filed by Republic TV managing director and editor in chief Arnab Goswami for quashing a FIR filed against him for allegedly disturbing communal harmony over the gathering of a large number of migrants in Bandra in Mumbai.

A bench, comprising Justice DY Chandrachud and MR Shah, provided interim protection to Arnab from coercive action in the FIR till the judgement is delivered. The protection from arrest granted to Arnab on 24 April shall continue to remain in operation until the apex court delivers the judgement in the next two days.

Arnab had sought the transfer of the case to the CBI, expressing doubts over the impartiality of the Mumbai police. His lawyer argued that the probe by the Mumbai police has a "chilling effect" on press freedom.

“What is the point we are arguing for? They are trying to stifle an unpleasant voice. The real purpose is to teach a journalist a lesson, by asking very silly questions during the investigation in the case... The whole thing was to teach me (Arnab) and my profession a lesson. However, I made it clear that we did our duty, nothing wrong in that,” Adv Harish Salve, appearing for Arnab Goswami, argued.

The FIR was filed under various sections of the IPC, which include for promoting enmity between different groups, outraging religious feelings of any class of citizens, etc.

Earlier, the apex court had given Arnab two week’s protection from arrest in the case of a series of FIRs filed against him in various courts in the country. 

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