In a sharp rebuke, the Karnataka High Court has quashed a criminal case against Republic News Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, calling it an “irresponsible” and “reckless” attempt to settle scores with the prominent journalist.
The case, filed last year, accused Republic TV Kannada of broadcasting false news that an ambulance was delayed for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s convoy in Bengaluru—an allegation swiftly debunked, as Siddaramaiah was in Mysuru at the time. The complaint, lodged by Karnataka Congress member Ravindra MV, led to an FIR under Section 505(2) of the IPC, which deals with statements promoting enmity.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna, in a scathing observation, questioned why Goswami was implicated when he had no direct involvement with Republic TV Kannada’s daily operations. “Merely because the petitioner is a renowned name in the fourth estate, he is without rhyme and reason dragged into the web of crime,” the Court remarked. “It becomes a classic illustration of dragging the petitioner only to settle other scores.”
The ruling went further, dismissing the charges as baseless and stating that even allowing the investigation to continue would be an abuse of legal process. “Except malafides, there is no substance in the complaint,” the Court asserted.
With the case now quashed, the judgment underscores concerns over legal action being used as a tool for retribution against media figures.