Republic TV managing director and editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami along with two of the co-accused in the case of abetment to suicide has been shifted to Taloja Central Jail in Navi Mumbai by jail officials citing security reasons.
Mr. Goswami who was arrested on November 4 has been in judicial custody since then and was lodged in the Alibag jail-quarantine centre which is a school run by the Alibag Municipal Council.
“The shifting decision was by jail authorities. On Monday, we have a hearing on our revision petition before Alibag sessions court and if we are granted police custody, he will have to be brought back,” Raigad Superintendent of Police Ashok Dudhe said.
Mr. Goswami was shifted to Taloja jail along with Feroz Shaikh and Nitesh Sarda after their quarantine period in Alibag was over. The Alibag Superintendent Jailer had written to the superior authorities to shift the three to Taloja jail after they completed their quarantine period for security reasons and for the reason that it was a high-profile case.
Police inspector Jamil Shaikh, Local Crime Branch (LCB), Raigad, said that Mr. Goswami was found to be using a mobile phone from the quarantine centre. The police found that he was active on social media and wrote to the Alibag Jailer asking about the same. "We have initiated an inquiry into how he was using the mobile phone as his personal mobile was seized by us during the arrest," Mr. Shaikh said.
Jailer from Alibag said, “Being a COVID quarantine centre, we had permitted the inmates to use a phone to get in touch with their lawyers. We have a record of the calls made by the inmates and the time. We are investigating if Goswami had used any phone beyond the time which was permitted.”
After reaching near Taloja jail when he saw media persons, Mr. Goswami starting shouting, “I am not allowed to speak to my lawyers, my life is under threat. My life is in danger, please tell the courts to help me.” Groups of people against Mr. Goswami and in support of him had reached outside Taloja jail shouting slogans.
“I met the jailer and requested that since Goswami is scared, he should be taken care of and should be given medical assistance if required and make sure that he is not assaulted. Jailer assured me that he will be taken care of.
"I have been trying to reach out to many government officials but no one is reachable. A person at an editorial post is being treated like this, this is a condemnable act by government. I was worried about Goswami and hence I decided to meet the jailer,” BJP leader Kirit Somaiyya said.
The Alibag sessions court on Saturday heard the pleas of Mr. Goswami’s advocate in the revision petition filed by police. Since the hearing in the habeas corpus writ by Mr. Goswami was still going on at the High Court, the sessions court gave the next date for the order for November 9.
