The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday issued a notice in a plea filed by Republic TV Editor-In-Chief Arnab Goswami. Arnab Goswami had moved to Supreme Court to challenge the September 16 privilege motion sent to him by the Maharashtra Assembly for his criticism of the government inaction in the Sushant Singh Rajput case.
A bench of Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian issued notice to Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and stated that the matter will be returnable in a week.
Senior Advocate Harish Salve appeared for Goswami and informed the court that the question which arises in the instant plea is pending adjudication before a 7 bench of the top court (N. Ram Case) and added that in the light of this he was looking at the Solicitor General's assistance as well.
Salve said that breach of privilege of an assembly could not be used against someone outside of the house. Salve said, "The privileges of an Assembly cannot be used against someone outside of the house. N.Ram is at the privilege of assisting this court, the issue was that he had made statements against the CM of Tamil Nadu."
Salve also said that the Assembly cannot invoke the breach of privilege if someone has not hindered the working of the house. He said, "If I have not hindered the working of the house, this cannot be invoked."
The motion was moved against Goswami for allegedly using derogatory language against Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar in relation to inaction by the State Government viz. the unfortunate death of Actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
Following this, a 60-page notice was sent to Arnab Goswami, stipulating that he has breached the privileges of the Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra.