[BREAKING] Mumbai DCP, Abhishek Trimukhe files defamation complaint against Arnab Goswami, Republic TV

Mumbai Deputy Commissioner of Police Abhishek Trimukhe has filed a criminal defamation complaint against Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, his wife and the owner of the channel ARG Outlier for alleged defamatory statements made against him by Goswami. .The complaint was filed by Trimukhe after obtaining requisite procedural sanction from the Home Ministry of the State government.Trimukhe has claimed that during the initial investigation into the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, Goswami had broadcast certain content about Trimukhe and Rhea Chakraborty, an alleged suspect in the case..Trimukhe has prayed that the court should take cognizance of offences under Sections 499, 500, 501 (criminal defamation) and 109 (punishment for abetment) of 34 (conspiracy) under Indian Penal Code.He has also sought compensation from Goswami..Trimukhe’s complaint states that Goswami telecast malicious statements on his channel ‘Republic Bharat’ after which it published on their YouTube channel.The statements were made during a panel discussion pertaining to the phone records of Chakraborty in connection to the death of Rajput..It is Trimukhe's case that the discussion was carried out “with an intention to not just drag his (Trimukhe’s) name through the mud, but also to cast aspersions on the conduct of the Mumbai Police as a whole in the context of the investigation into the death of Mr. Rajput.”."Responsible journalism and freedom of expression requires great caution and care. Freedom of Speech and expression and freedom of Press in not an absolute right under the constitution and is clothed with a sense of responsibility which the Accused is duly accountable in law when he strays as a habitual offender. Accused No. 1 is no alien to controversial and questionable behaviour and unethical journalism. Of late he was surrounded in controversy where several FIR’s were lodged against him and later quashed by the Supreme Court and the High Court. …As such, he is a habitual offender and must be dealt with stern hands of the law," the complaint reads..Goswami had allegedly launched a systemic attack on the institution of the Mumbai Police. Trimukhe claimed that channel flashed a ticker on the screen along with the name and picture of the complainant indicating that Trimukhe was guilty of abusing his position as DCP to help perpetrators of an alleged offence..“The constant use of the Complaint’s image, with words such as ‘Mumbai Police strikes a deal with Rhea Chakraborty’ serves to attribute all and any allegations made during the entirety of the show on the Complainant.”.Trimukhe has claimed that through the broadcast Goswami tried to create an impression thatthe Mumbai Police including Trimukhe has made a deal with Chakraborty to “wrongfully safeguard her from the police investigation”.Mumbai Police were leaking information about the investigation to Chakraborty to help her evade the process of lawTrimukhe had stayed in touch with Chakraborty “a month prior to the demise of Rajput.”.Due to this, he suffered loss of reputation and goodwill and stated that a good amount of time would be required to mitigate the loss, Trimukhe has contended. .He has further submitted that instead of conducting himself as a responsible journalist, Goswami has chosen to profit from the situation by sensationalising and scandalising the same..One is bound to tolerate criticism, and as a public servant in a democratic country, one welcomes it. However, one is legally entitled to not tolerate defamatory attacks under the guise of criticism, aimed at destroying the reputation built by one over their lifetime, the complainant has stated..[Read Abhishek Trimukhe's Criminal Complaint]