The Supreme Court today ordered the release of Arnab Goswami on an interim bail on a bond of RS 50000. The other co-accused was also ordered to be released on the same bond amount.
The Apex Court stated that the High court erred in not giving interim bail to Arnab and that the HC was not doing enough in matters related to cases of personal freedom.
Justice D Y Chandrachud of SCI stated that if this way the situation had proceeded in the HC, and had the Apex Court not interfered, then it would have led to the undeniable destruction of the personal liberty of anyone who is targeted by the state government. He further stated that it should be made clear that SCI is there. He also added that it is up to people to choose whether they want to see Republic TV or not.
Advocate Harish Salve appearing on behalf of Arnab Goswami stated that the case did not stand the test of basic ingredients required to establish a case of abetment to suicide under Section 306 of the IPC.
Kapil Sibal represented the state of Maharashtra in the case and was asked by the SCI whether there was an active case of instigation or encouragement which would constitute an offence amounting to abetment of suicide. The judges also observed that Indian democracy is extraordinarily resilient and taunts on TV must be ignored to uphold this.
