[Alwar Riots] Rajasthan High Court grants pre-arrest relief to News18 journalist Aman Chopra

In a respite for News 18 journalist Aman Chopra, the Rajasthan High Court on Saturday granted him interim protection from arrest in connection with two of the three First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged against the news anchor for allegedly instigating the communal riots in Alwar district of Rajasthan on April 22 [Aman Chopra vs State of Rajasthan]..The allegation against Aman Chopra is that comments made by him while anchoring a television programme "Desh Jhukne Nhi Denge" which was also posted on his twitter account, resulted in communal disharmony and riots on April 22 at Alwar..Three separate FIRs were registered against him First FIR was registered at Bichwada Dungarpur police station on April 23. A second FIR was registered with police station Sadar, Bundi on the same day while a third FIR was instituted at police station Kotwali, Alwar on April. Chopra moved the Court apprehending arrest in view of three separate FIRs. He contended that investigation in two subsequent FIRs must not be allowed to proceed as they were lodged maliciously just to harass him.Single-judge Justice Birendra Kumar opined that Chopra should be protected in the two subsequent FIRs. "Since the subsequent FIRs for same cause of action and their investigation are itself not sustainable/permissible, in view of the judgments of the Supreme Court, there is no question that petitioner need not get protection from being arrested in these cases. As such, he shall not be arrested in FIR, registered with Police Station Kotwali, Alwar and the one registered with Police Station Sadar, Bundi, till further order," the judge said in his order passed on May 7..He is accused of instigating the riots by anchoring a news debate show following the demolition of some temples in Rajgarh, Alwar. .Senior Advocate VR Bajwa represented the Chopra along with advocates Achintya Kaushik, Bhrigu Sharma, Manish Parmar, Amar Kumar and Mrinal Bharti. .RP Singh, Additional Advocate General who appeared for the State of Rajasthan opposed the prayer for interim protection to Aman Chopra on the ground that interim protection of arrest should not be allowed while exercising jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr.P.C..[Read Order]