Indian TV news anchor is charged over man's suicide following allegations the man killed himself because media celebrity refused to settle huge debt
An Indian television news anchor has been charged over the suicide of an interior designer after allegations the man killed himself because the celebrity refused to settle a debt.
The charges against Republic TV founder Arnab Goswami are linked to the deaths of Anvay Naik and his mother, which police determined to be suicide.
A suicide note found by the police and determined to have been written by Naik said he took his life because Goswami and two others owed him a huge sum of money and had refused to pay it back.
Goswami was arrested in Mumbai and charged with abetting suicide today but has denied the allegation.
Indian television news anchor Arnab Goswami sits inside a police vehicle after he was produced in a court following his arrest in Mumbai, India, today
Police detain Bharatiya Janata party workers protesting against Maharashtra state government for the arrest of television news anchor Arnab Goswami in Mumbai, India, today
The charges against Republic TV founder Arnab Goswami are linked to the deaths of Anvay Naik and his mother, which police determined to be suicide
Violence erupted in Mumbai today as Bharatiya Janata party workers protesting against Goswami's arrest were detained by police.
Activists were pulled to the ground and thrown into police vehicles during the protests.
Soon after Goswami's arrest, Naik's wife and daughter Akshata and Adnya thanked the Maharashtra police for taking action.
Akshata told reporters: 'We can’t forget the year 2018. We want to thank Maharashtra Police for standing by a daughter of Maharashtra.
'My husband in his suicide note had mentioned three names but no action was taken against them.
An activist of Bharatiya Janata Party is being detained by the police while protesting against the arrest of Indian television journalist Arnab Goswami in Mumbai today
Bharatiya Janata Party workers shout slogans as they are detained by the police while protesting against the arrest of Indian television journalist Arnab Goswami
'Arnab Goswami is behind my husband’s death and I request every single Indian not to help him. Maharashtra police’s action is justice for us.'
Adnya said: 'My father spent his money, energy, blood and sweat on the project. Despite all that, Goswami ensured my father did not get his dues.'
Goswami is known for aggressively backing up Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his nationalist policies during his nightly shows, often shouting down opponents.
Critics have accused Republic TV of pandering to Modi's agenda at time when other media channels say press freedom is under threat.
Activists and supporters of Bharatiya Janata Party hold placards while protesting against the arrest of Indian television journalist Arnab Goswami
Goswami is known for aggressively backing up Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his nationalist policies during his nightly shows, often shouting down opponents
Republic TV in a statement called Goswami's arrest a 'black day of India's democracy' and alleged he was physically assaulted by the police.
His channel showed video of Goswami being forced into a police van by the officers outside his residence in Mumbai.
Multiple senior leaders of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party were quick to condemn Goswami's arrest.
India's powerful Home Minister Amit Shah Tweeted: 'Blatant misuse of state power against Republic TV & Arnab Goswami is an attack on individual freedom and the 4th pillar of democracy.
Supporters of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party are detained by police officials during a protest against the arrest of Arnab Goswami
'This attack on free press must be and WILL BE OPPOSED.'
Railway Minister, Piyush Goyal, called his arrest a 'fascist move' and 'a sign of undeclared emergency'.
'We must all stand up against this attack on India's democracy,' Goyal Tweeted.
Another senior minister from the ruling party, Smriti Irani, said: 'You may not like him, you may not approve of him, you may despise his very existence but if you stay silent you support suppression.'
The Editors Guild of India, which represents the country's newspapers, condemned Goswami's arrest.
Journalists watch on television the news of the arrest of television news anchor Arnab Goswami at the Mumbai Press Club in Mumbai, India, today
In a statement, it called upon authorities to 'ensure that Goswami is treated fairly and state power is not used against critical reporting by the media'.
Goswami has previously been charged in two other cases with inciting communal tensions and promoting hatred between religious groups. He denied the charges.
In October, Mumbai police also accused Republic TV of rigging the rating system, a major factor in what a channel can charge advertisers.
Goswami and his channel have denied the charges.
Over the last few months, he has run a wall-to-wall coverage against the Mumbai police and accused them of mishandling an investigation into the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, a popular actor.