WEB DESK
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to quash the first information reports filed against Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami for his comments against Congress President Sonia Gandhi in Palghar lynching case.
The court also refused to transfer the inquiry in the defamation case to CBI. However, the bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud extended the interim protection granted to the journalist by three weeks. The top court also directed Mumbai police commissioner to provide him protection. “There can be no quashing of FIR under Article 32,” court said.
“The petitioner has the liberty to pursue remedy before the competent court. FIR does not cover offence of criminal defamation, therefore it is not necessary to address prayer on that issue.”The court observed that while journalists have the fundamental right to speak truth to power, this right was not absolute.
“The language, content and sequencing of complaints is identical,” it said. “Multiple complaints will have a stifling effect. The right of journalists under Article 19(1)(a) is higher and free citizens cannot exist without free media. Questions you cannot answer are better than questions you cannot question.” The judges also confirmed the earlier interim order passed on April 24, allowing the consolidation of several FIRs and their transfer to Mumbai
