'Reckless Registration Of Crime' : Karnataka HC Stays Probe Against Republic TV Chief Arnab Goswami Over “Fake News" About CM
Terming it to be a "reckless registration of a crime", the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday (December 17) stayed all further investigation in a crime registered against Republic TV Chief Editor Arnab Goswami accused of spreading fake news about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Justice M Nagaprasanna passed the interim order and stayed investigation in the crime registered under section 505 (2) (Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) of Indian Penal Code.
The court said “It is understandable as to how the section is applicable to its remotest sense in the case at hand. Therefore it is a reckless registration of crime by respondent no 2. If such crime are permitted to continue it will amount to abuse of process of law. There shall be an interim order of stay of all further investigation till next date of hearing, January 16, 2025.”
On the complaint filed by office bearer of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee the police had registered the FIR.
It is alleged that on March 27 around 7.15 p.m., R Kannada channel aired a news story claiming that traffic on M. G. Road in Bengaluru was stopped to enable passage for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and, hence, an ambulance was stuck.
However, at that time, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was not in Bengaluru. He was in Mysuru, according to the complainant. Senior advocate Arun Shyam appearing for petitioner submitted that the alleged video was deleted within 24-hours.
The court issued notice to the respondent and posted the matter for further hearing on January 16, 2025.