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NEW DELHI: The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) has condemned the manner in which Republic TV editor in chief Arnab Goswami was arrested by the police. According to the police, Goswami was arrested in a 2018 abetment to suicide case.

The association released a statement noting, “NBA condemns the manner in which Arnab Goswami, editor-in-chief of Republic TV, was arrested by the Raigarh police. Even though the NBA does not agree with his type of journalism, we denounce retaliatory action, if any by the authorities against a media editor. Media is not above the law but due process must be followed." 

NBA also appealed to the chief minister of Maharashtra to ensure that Goswami is treated fairly and state power is not misused for vendetta.

NBA president Rajat Sharma also tweeted his views on the same.

I condemn the sudden arrest of Arnab Goswami in an abetment to suicide case. While I don’t agree with his style of studio trial, I also don’t approve of misuse of state power to harass a journalist. A media editor cannot be treated in this manner @PrakashJavdekar

— Rajat Sharma (@RajatSharmaLive) November 4, 2020

For the record, earlier in the day, Republic TV founder & editor in chief Arnab Goswami was picked up from his residence  by the Mumbai police. According to Republic TV, 10 policemen entered Goswami’s residence and pushed him around, before taking him away. According to the media firm, the police had no summons or arrest warrants at the time of his arrest. It has been said that Arnab has been arrested in connection with an old abetment to suicide case of a 53-year-old interior designer. A Mumbai police official said that an architect and his mother committed suicide in 2018 over alleged non-payment of dues by Republic TV. 

Goswami, it says, has been arrested under Section 306 and Section 34 of IPC. Goswami has been taken to Raigad for questioning.

However, the Republic Media has issued clarifications on the subject and pointed out that it is a false case and has been made as part of a larger vindictive exercise against an independent journalist and an independent news organisation.

Several bureaucrats and ministers have also lent their support to Goswami and condemned the act.