The Alibaug Police have registered a case against Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami and two others for allegedly abetting the suicide of an interior designer at his residence in Mumbai.
The case was registered based on a complaint by the interior decorator’s wife under Section 306 (abetting suicide) of the Indian Penal Code.
The deceased, Anvay Naik, had named three persons in his suicide note, alleging that the three had failed to pay him his dues for his services.
Police had also found the body of Naik’s mother, Kumud, next to him. It’s, however, not clear as to how Kumud died, but police have booked Arnab Goswami, Feroz Shaikh of IcastX/Skimedia and Niteish Sarda of Smartworks for abetment of suicide on the basis of the suicide note left behind by Naik.
As per the Indian Express news report, Additional Superintendent of Police Sanjay Patil said. “According to his wife’s complaint, the three did not clear his pending bills, leading Anvay Naik to suffer severe losses in his business.”
In their defence, Republic TV has come out with a statement refuting the allegations, while claiming that certain vested interest groups are running a false and malicious campaign and making false statements and innuendos against Republic TV by exploiting a tragic event involving Naik’s unfortunate demise.
“Republic TV would like to clarify that it had engaged the services of one Concorde Designs Private Limited sometime in December 2016,” the statement said. “All amounts due and payable under the contract were paid by Republic TV to Concorde Designs. The details of payment, including cheque numbers, amounts, dates of payment, related correspondence and documentation are available with Republic TV,” the statement added.