SC issues notice of contempt Maharashtra Assembly Secretary; calls the letter to Arnab as 'Shocking'

The Supreme Court, on Friday, November 6, 2020, stayed the arrest of Republic TV's Editor-in-Chief, Arnab Goswami, in a case filed regarding the Secretary of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Not only this, in this case, the court has also issued a show-cause notice to the Assembly Secretary.

Shiv Sena MLA and spokesperson Pratap Saranaik had filed a defamation suit against Arnab Goswami for criticizing Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, and for also passing offensive statements, intentionally, against other ministers from the state.

The proposal was filed under Rule 203 during the monsoon session, post which, a total of seven notices were sent to Arnab in this regard. However, Arnab did not respond to any of the notices and had challenged the notice in the Supreme Court. During the hearing, the Supreme Court stayed the arrest of Arnab Goswami in the infringement case.

As per reports, it is said that the letter sent by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the committee was written on the ground that it was confidential. However, keeping this in mind, questions are being raised about one being intimidated by the same. Some officials have stated that no system in the country can stop anyone from going to court, and writing such a letter to Arnab and not allowing him to go to the administration of justice is tantamount to interfering.

The bench comprising of Justice AS Bopanna and Justice V Ramasubramanian called the letter as 'unprecedented and shocking.' The court said that the letter showed the author's intention to intimidate the petitioner, and added that the legislative assemble should understand that approaching the court is a fundamental right under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution.

The apex court has also issued a show-cause notice to the assembly secretary, and the court has given two weeks to respond to the notice.

The letter was produced with an application and an affidavit submitted by Arnab’s wife along with his lawyer Harish Salve. Currently. Arnab is in Jail after he was arrested from his residence on Wednesday, with regards to his connection in the 2018 Anvay Naik Suicide Case. He is one among the three people mentioned in Anvay's suicide note which states that Arnab and others have not paid him dues worth INR 5.4 crore.