Mumbai Police Closes Chapter Proceedings Initiated Against Arnab Goswami

The Mumbai Police has terminated the chapter proceedings initiated against Republic TV editor Arnab Goswami as the enquiry against him was not completed within the stipulated six-month window.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Sudhir Jambavdekar (Worli Division) passed the order, on Saturday, following Goswami's application under section 116(6) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

On October 10, 2020, the police issued a show-cause notice to Goswami, asking him why a chapter proceeding under section 108 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) should not be initiated against him.

The notice referred to Goswami's "objectionable coverage" of two incidents, on Republic TV – the lynching of sadhus at Palghar and the gathering of migrants outside Bandra station during the lockdown.

The notice stated that Goswami gave a "communal colour" to the incidents and tried to "incite communal tension between Hindus and Muslims".

A chapter proceeding is a preventive measure the police take to keep a check on anti-social elements (facing serious criminal charges) in the city.

Goswami's application filed through law firm Phoenix Legal stated that

6 months had elapsed from the show-cause notice and the inquiry still isn't completed.

Therefore, under 116(6) CrPC the chapter proceedings must be terminated, they said.

Last month, in a major relief for Goswami, the Bombay High Court admitted a Goswami's petition alleging serious malafides in the Television Rating Point Scam and granted him limited protection from arrest.