The Mumbai police filed a case against four journalists of Republic Tv for defaming the Mumbai police and causing disaffection among them, on 23rd October.
The journalists who were accused, worked at the Republic Tv including executive editor Niranjan Narayanswami, anchor and deputy news editor Shivani Gupta, deputy editor Shawan Sen, anchor and senior associate editor Sagarika Mitra.
The case was filed under section 3(1) of the Police (Incitement to Disaffection) Act, 1922 and IPC section 500 for defamation, at NM Joshi Marg Police Station by the Sub-inspector of Special Branch, Shashikant Pawar.
This is the fourth case that is filed against the channel by the Mumbai Police. Republic Tv is already facing a fake TRP scam investigation. The Editor-in-Chief of Republic Media Network, Arnab Goswami has two suits filed against him for creating communal violence and spreading hatred among certain communities.
The channel called it an assault on the rights of media, a witch hunt and said that they will not give up the fight. The FIR is concerned about a report of the channel regarding their revolt against the Police Commissioner by the senior police officers.
The report headlined as, ‘Revolt Against Param Bir? Senior Officers Part of Probe Give Details’. They also mentioned the sources for the officers claiming that they were not complying to his orders, which was an attack on the reputation of the police force.
The report about the revolt went on air between 7:00 pm to 7:10 pm on October 22, this incited disaffection among the police officials and defamed them. In the regard, the channel claimed that it is a violation of their rights.
They have been asked to submit details of their transactions since the initiation of the event including a list of employees, said the officials.
