Cops file plea to withdraw case against Goswami

Mumbai: The city crime branch has filed an application in the magistrate court to withdraw a case against Arnab Goswami of Republic TV related to manipulation of the channel’s television rating points (TRPs).The police had submitted a chargesheet against Goswami and some of his employees. The TRP manipulationcase was registered by the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra in 2020, when controversial IPS officer Param Bir Singh was commissioner of police.The probe was headed by police inspector Sachin Waze, who was later dismissed after his arrest in the case of planting vehicles laden with explosives near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence.The crime branch on Tuesday moved an application before the 37th metropolitan magistrate for withdrawal of the case under CrPC 321 (withdrawal from prosecution). Additional chief metropolitan magistrate L S Padhen, who heard the matter, adjourned the matter to December 28.In the chargesheet, the crime branch through the special public prosecutor Shishir Hiray stated they don’t see any criminal offence in the case but just regulatory violations. “It’s the government’s call.

The government, after finding there is no scope of offences under IPC and serious flaws in the investigation carried out earlier, decided to withdraw the case. Now it is for the courts to decide it,” said a senior officer.Goswami had made a plea before Mumbai police to drop his name in the case. He approached the Mumbai police a few months ago citing flaws in the probe.

The chargesheet in the case was filed in June 2021 under IPC sections related to cheating, forgery, breach of trust, destruction of evidence and criminal conspiracy. In October 2020, the crime intelligence unit claimed to have busted the TRP scam where viewership figures for some channels were artificially inflated. The case was registered after the Broadcast Audience Research Council lodged a complaint that certain TV channels were rigging TRPs through illegal means. — S Ahmed Ali and Rebecca SamervelWe also published the following articles recentlyChargesheet not filed in 46,000 casesTrial in 46,000 criminal cases, including murder, attempt to murder, negligence, cheating, and robbery, is delayed in Chennai courts.

The police have not completed investigation and filed chargesheets. Pile-up of cases is due to the lack of a trained unit to monitor completion of investigation, delay in obtaining reports and certificates, and frequent transfer of investigation officers. Absence of chargesheets prevents trials from beginning.

Measures include forming a special team, providing a color-coded system for tracking chargesheet filing, and giving IOs fixed tenure to complete cases.[1]2020 Delhi riots: Court rejects application to withdraw 3 complaints clubbed in a caseA Delhi court dismisses the Police’s application to withdraw three complaints consolidated in a case related to the 2020 North East Delhi riots. Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala presides over the case involving 11 accused registered by the Dayalpur police station. The court rules that any plea conflicting with the final report in a case based on charge sheets is not tenable.

The court emphasizes that such applications should be considered only based on the final stance articulated by the prosecution in the charge sheet.[2]Register criminal case against Mann: SADShiromani Akali Dal demands criminal case against CM Bhagwant Mann for police firing at Sultanpur Lodhi gurdwara. SAD claims police favored Nihang faction close to CM and his family. One home guard jawan killed, several injured in clash.

SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia questions police claim of unprovoked firing, alleges police started firing. Video clip played showing gunshots. Akali leader compares incident to Operation Bluestar.

Photos show CM’s family’s closeness with Balbir Singh.[3]

References

1. ^ Chargesheet not filed in 46,000 cases (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
2. ^ 2020 Delhi riots: Court rejects application to withdraw 3 complaints clubbed in a case (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
3. ^ Register criminal case against Mann: SAD (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)