Thread by @utkarsh_aanand

#SupremeCourt starts hearing a fresh petition by #ArnabGoswami for a stay on his prosecution in an FIR lodged against him over a TV show relating to #MigrantWorkers getting collected at Bandra railway station last month.

Veteran lawyer Harish Salve appears for the #Republic TV editor-in-chief through video-conferencing.

#SupremeCourt will also hear a #Maharashtra Govt plea to 'insulate' & protect its police officers from 'pressure & coercion' by #ArnabGoswami in its probe on #SoniaGandhi show.

Salve terms interrogation by #Maharashtra police as an "arm-twisting" tactic, says more questions are about why #ArnabGoswami allegedly defamed a certain person.

He adds out of two cops questioning him, one has been tested positive for #COVID19. Why can't they do it through VC?

#SupremeCourt bench, led by Justice DY Chandrachud, talks about balancing the rights. He remarks #Bombay HC too can pass all appropriate orders. The judge adds the top court has already quashed multiplicity of proceedings relating to #Palghar case.

"We must ensure somebody is not subject to harassment but we should not create an environment where anybody in particular is exempted from the normal course of proceedings," observes Chandrachud J.

#ArnabGoswami

Salve claims #Maharashtra police has been asking #ArnabGoswami, his CEO questions like whose money is invested in the channel, who takes editorial decisions, who decides list of guests, events etc.

"Won't such questioning have chilling effect on freedom of press?" he asks.

"Either hear all the cases here on merit or transfer the probe to the #CBI," Salve pleads before the bench, adding the manner in which #Maharashtra police have proceeded so far, it cannot be trusted with fairness or sanctity.

#ArnabGoswami
#PalgharMobLynching

Salve tells #SupremeCourt that #ArnabGoswami might have been stuck in the Union Vs State Govt politics.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appears for the Union, supports #ArnabGoswami in having an 'independent agency' probe all the cases.

Tushar Mehta adds a 12-hr questioning of a citizen in a matter like this where allegations pertain to individuals & not against state is "disturbing".

Why not have an independent agency when petitioner wants it & #Maharashtra Govt also wants to 'insulate' it's officers: Mehta

Kapil Sibal represents #Maharashtra Govt. He says sarcastically: "Yes..all irrelevant questions were asked..such as why don't you stop inciting this communal violence & communal mongering; questions on decency & morality you need to follow."

#ArnabGoswami

#ArnabGoswami hearing is still on. Salve argues the FIRs are concerted action by one political party against a journalist. They have problems with the Govt and they want to teach this journalist a lesson. If someone criticises leadership of a political party, it can't be Sec295.

"Affidavit of #Mumbai Police chief is distressing...look at his conduct.. a Police Commissioner needs the court's protection against an accused?" Salve submits before the #SupremeCourt.

Please extend interim protection from arrest, other coercive steps against #ArnabGoswami and ask the #CBI to file a status report in this court in the meantime, Salve urges the #SupremeCourt.

#SupremeCourt bench indicates it will pass a detailed order later this week and in the meantime, interim protection to #ArnabGoswami against arrest, other coercive steps will continue.