[TRP Scam- Arnab Goswami Vs Mumbai Police] Bombay HC Hearing On Republic's Plea To Quash FIR [Live-Updates]

The bench notes that summons have been served on 7 employees of #RepublicTV and none of them have been arrested so far.

Sibal adds that no summons has been issued to Arnab Goswami 

Sibal : Arnab Goswami is not a special person. Press has no special privileges. The right remedy is Section 438(anticipatory bail) and not Section 482.

Salve : If the police commissioner can rush to give such interviews, he can very well arrest me in no time.

Bench : We will grant you leave to approach us in such a case.

Salve : Let him be given 48 hours notice before arrest.

Salve : There was no reason for the Police Commissioner to call for a press conference and make statements against me. This shows lack of bona fides. 

Bench : As on today, he (Arnab Goswami ) is not an accused. So we do not think there is any reason to pass an interim order of protection.

Salve continues to persuade the bench.

Salve says let him(Arnab Goswami) be not arrested without the leave of the Court.

"Why? Is he a special person?" Sibal

Salve says there are strong allegations of mala fides against Mumbai police.

'Tomorrow they might summon him and might arrest him. There are strong apprehensions', Salve.

The bench says it proposes to issue notice and seek a report on the status of investigation for the perusal of the court.

As far as interim protection, the bench observes it may not be necessary as there is no mention of #Republic in FIR.

Salve seeks interim order.

Sibal says there is no occasion to admit the petition, and that the status of investigation can be shared with the court if the court desires.

"Your lordship may record my statement that we will not go to media during the pendency of the investigation.

But your lordship should also direct that RepublicTV should not do media trial in this case", Sibal for Maharashtra Govt