Even after 12 hours of interrogation by police, Arnab says “I stand by my comments”

The massive controversy, which sparked across the country after the Palghar mob lynching incident, seems unstoppable. A lot has happened in the life of Arnab Goswami over the last few days. Yesterday, the editor was interrogated for close to 12 hours in connection with the FIR registered against him that accused him of attacking Congress President Sonia Gandhi for being “silence” on the lynching of two Hindu priests.

Republic TV founder Arnab Goswami resorted to the supreme court, challenging the multiple FIRs filed against him. Goswami, in his petition, said he had no choice but to approach the apex court because it would not be easy for him to individually approach each court, given the number of complaints and FIRs registered against him.

It all started after the journalist accused Sonia Gandhi of being silent on the mob lynching of two Hindu sadhus in Maharashtra’s Palghar district. The shocking incident took place in Gadchinchle village which is 125 km far from Mumbai in which three men were mercilessly lynched to death by an angry mob of 200 people. CCTV footage of the lynching shows that two of the victims killed are Sadhus.

It has been learnt that Several cases have been filed against Arnab by Congress leaders and supporters. Now, he is facing the ire of Congress for criticizing Sonia Gandhi over the mob lynching, in his programme on the Republic Bharat news channel. The following day, the editor and his wife Samyabrata Ray were attacked by two unknown persons.

Shocking attack on journalist Goswami has triggered political turmoil in India. The incident has garnered opinions across media spectrums while many have condemned the attack, few are holding onto their judgments. The incident took place when Goswami was returning home along with his wife from their studios in Lower Parel. The editor Goswami held Congress responsible for the attack. Later, he shared a video in which he said that he still stands by his comments and will keep on raising questions against Congress President for not speaking on the lynching happened in Maharashtra’s Palghar district.

“The complaints have been filed and FIRs registered with the sole intention to wreak vengeance against the petitioner on account of personal animosity of the chief of the Congress against the petitioner,” Arnab said in his petition.

Arnab Goswami was called interrogation and interrogated for 12 and a half hours. He was with his lawyer Mr. Sujay Kantawala. The lawyer was with him throughout the interrogation. The interrogation was about his remarks that he made against Sonia Gandhi. He clearly said that he stands by his comments. 

He made it absolutely clear that everything he has said is correct. He answered all questions asked during the interrogation. He completely cooperated with the investigation. Goswami also said that he is completely confident that truth will prevail on this and any attempts to intimidate me would not work. “I am grateful for the Mumbai Police for hearing me today. And I am grateful to my lawyer Mr. Sujay Kantawala,” said Goswami.

Writer, historian, and activist Dharam Sikarwar is a very active author The Youth. He writes on national and international issues, environment, politics. He is an avid book reader as well.