Arnab Goswami summoned in Criminal Defamation case filed by Shashi Tharoor [Read Order]

A trial court in Kerala has summoned news anchor and Editor-in-Chief of Republic TV, Arnab Goswami to appear before it in criminal defamation proceedings. The proceedings have been initiated by Member of Parliament, Shashi Tharoor citing baseless statements broadcasted by Goswami in relation to the demise of Tharoor’s wife, Sunanda Pushkar..The case filed in June this year had initially been posted by the Chief Judicial Magistrate for its first hearing on October 29, this year. The order passed to this effect last July had also summoned Arnab Goswami, the prime accused in the case..This order was passed on the opinion of the Magistrate that there was sufficient material to make out a prima facie case against Goswami. It states,.“On a perusal of the complaint, sworn statement of the complainant, statement of witnesses and records produced, I am satisfied that the complainant has made out a prima facie case against the accused for proceeding against them for the offence punishable u/s 500 IPC. So, the complaint is taken on file as CC 349/2018. Issue summons to accused. Call on 29/10/2018.“.However, the Court has adjourned the matter to be taken up on February 28, next year, when Goswami is supposed to appear before the CJM..Advocate Suraj Krishna BS is representing Tharoor while Arnab Goswami is being represented by advocates Rajesh Kumar K and Sarath S Janardanan. .Meanwhile, a civil defamation suit brought by Tharoor against Goswami, claiming compensation to the tune of Rs 2 crore, is already pending before the Delhi High Court. After issuing a notice in the matter last year, cross-examination in the case was scheduled to begin in May this year..Read the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s order: