Mumbai: Republic Media Network’s CEO Vikas Khanchandani has been arrested from his home by the Mumbai Police on Sunday morning without any papers being served.
According to Republic TV, the illegal arrest comes despite the fact that Mr. Khanchandani’s anticipatory bail application was filed and to come up for hearing in the Bombay High Court on Monday.
The statement issued by Repuplic TV stated, “It is clear that as the fake TRP case collapses and the Mumbai Police Crime Branch has been exposed for its vengeful and baseless campaign of calumny against Republic, the Mumbai Police has accelerated its vicious witch-hunt that has no basis in facts or in law.”
Despite full compliance, cooperation and complete following of the rule of law, Vikas Khanchandani has been vindictively and illegally picked up in a case where the allegations are clearly a matter under the purview of TRAI. The entire intent of the Mumbai Police seems to be to desperately evade the legal procedure, and avoid scrutiny of the courts, considering the arrest comes at a time when an anticipatory bail hearing is just a day away, and filings in the matter have been completed and served to the state.
The arrest of Republic’s CEO Vikas Khanchandani comes 39 days after Arnab Goswami was himself illegally arrested from his home by the police in a complete breach of all procedures and in a violation of his personal liberty.
Horrifically, the vengeful action of the police has come just 4 days after the network moved the NHRC against the horrific custodial torture of it’s Assitant Vice President Ghanshyam Singh who was arrested on 10 November in the same case, and whiplashed with a chakki belt in custody.
“The courts of the country and the people of India are watching the Maharashtra state machinery bury due process, and target one independent news network with malice and malafide intent. Republic has issued a national appeal for intervention to stop the incessant and unchecked malicious attack. There is no doubt justice will be done and truth will prevail. It is time for the people of India to join hands and raise their for justice.” added the statement.
