"Attempt To Silence Top Journalist ": Pradeep Bhandari Writes To CJI Bobde Seeking Probe Into Arnab Goswami's Transfer To Taloja Jail

Republic TV Anchor Pradeep Bhandari has written to Chief Justice SA Bobde seeking probe  by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) into the shifting of Arnab Goswami to Taloja Jail.

Arnab Goswami was moved to Taloja jail after allegedly being found using a mobile phone while in judicial custody at a school designated as COVID-19 centre for Alibaug prison, NDTV reported.

In light of the above, Bhandari states in his letter to the Chief Justice of India that in the morning when he came to know if this, it came as a surprise. 

"In the morning I came to know in a surprise move that Maharashtra Government is shifting Arnab Goswami from Mumbai to Taloja Jail on false pretest without any reason which is a Jail full of hardened criminals and underworld criminals of Mumbai & Maharashtra" 

- Bhandari to CJI SA Bobde

It is further alleged by Bhandari that Goswami is not being allowed to talk with his advocates or anybody en route and that he has somehow managed to say a few words to the Republic Media Reporters regarding his life being in danger. "He has been beaten up in the morning and is seeking help"

Bhandari has also requested the NHRC to immediately take note of this and send a team "today itself" in Taloja Jail and initiate an independent enquiry so that there will be no further harm to Goswami and so that his safety and well being can be assured in Jail.

"I am praying for immediate action in this matter as it involves Human Rights Violation of the Country's one of the top journalist who is being harassed and tortured by the Maharashtra State for political reasons..," Bhandari has stated.

Arnab Goswami and two others were arrested by Alibaug police 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.

After his arrest from his Lower Parel residence in Mumbai, Arnab Goswami was taken to Alibaug, where the Chief Judicial Magistrate remanded him and the two others in judicial custody till November 18.

Today, the Bombay High Court rejected interim bail to Goswami.

The Court said that no case was made out for the exercise of extraordinary jurisdiction by the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution when the petitioners have the alternate remedy of seeking regular bail under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure(Goswami and the co-accused had approached the High Court seeking writ of habeas corpus under Artice 226 against the arrest and remand in the case).