Mumbai police on Friday registered a new FIR against Republic Television channel and booked its executive editor, host, two reporters and other editorial staff for allegedly inciting “disaffection” among police personnel against Commissioner Param Bir Singh and defame the image of the city police.
This is the fourth criminal case registered against the Republic television channel and its employees by the city police.
The latest FIR is registered by Special Section-1 (SB1), the intelligence wing of the city police, at the NM Joshi Marg Police Station. Whistleblower Shashikant Pawar is a deputy inspector assigned to the Social Media Lab (SML).
The SML has the responsibility to monitor content on social media platforms and television channels and identify posts, fake news, rumors and other content that has the potential to create unrest in the city or that may lead to any community tension or situation. of public order in the city. city or state.
According to the FIR, on October 22, SML police officers observed that Republic TV (in English) broadcast a program under the Biggest Story Tonight segment, with a title: ‘Revolt against Param Bir Singh? The superior officer who is part of the investigation gives details ”.
The news broadcast by the channel alleged that Param Bir Singh is tarnishing the image of the Mumbai police and his orders are not acceptable to the department’s junior officers, the complaint states.
The news program was hosted by Shivani Gupta and reporter Sagrika Mitra based on the story compiled by Republic TV reporter Shawan Sen.
“By broadcasting such content, the channel and its journalists intentionally tried to incite the discontent of police personnel against the police commissioner and the act also defamed the image of the Mumbai Police,” the complainant stated in the FIR.
The police hired Republic TV host Shivani Gupta, reporter Sagrika Mitra, reporter Shawan Sen and executive editor of the show Niranjan Narayan Swami and other members of the editorial staff.
All of them have been charged under section 3 (1) of the Police (Incitement to Disappointment) Act 1922 and 500 (Defamation) and 34 (Common Intent) of the Indian Penal Code.
Arnab Goswami is already facing two FIRs at Pydhonie Police Station and NM Joshi Marg Police Station for inciting community tension and spreading hatred between two communities.
The city police have also started chapter proceedings against Goswami and issued him a notice of apparent cause about two weeks ago. The channel is also facing an investigation into the Television Rating Point (TRP) scam.
Republic Television officials did not respond to inquiries.
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