In a big setback for the eminent media channel Republic TV and its chief Arnab Goswami, the Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain the plea. The Apex Court on Thursday refused to entertain a writ petition filed by Republic TV and its chief Arnab Goswami seeking to quash the summons issued by the Mumbai police in the FIR alleging manipulation of Television Rating Points(TRP).
The plea was heard by a bench of Justice Chandrachud. The Court granted the petitioners liberty to approach the High Court. "We must have faith in our HCs. Without the intervention of the HC, it sends a bad message to the HC. They have been functioning throughout the pandemic", Justice DY Chandrachud said.
At this, Senior Advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the petitioners, agreed to withdraw the plea to approach the Bombay High Court.
While the Mumbai Police also submitted a brief reply in the TRP scam case against Arnab Goswami. In its written statements the Mumbai Police said to the top court, "The Reply concludes with the observation that the Petitioner (Republic TV) is directly interfering and intimidating witnesses by issuing news release and that such media trial is antithetical to the administration of justice. "
"The Reply further states that several officers of other TV channels have also been summoned and none of them have raised any grievance with regard to the investigation, it added.