There has to be responsibility in reporting: CJI SA Bobde

NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India SA Bobde on Monday said he hated the level of public discourse these days, while hearing a plea by Republic TV’s Arnab Goswami to quash an FIR registered against him for a programme in which he attacked Opposition leader Sonia Gandhi over the lynching of sadhus in Maharashtra.

“Frankly speaking, I can’t stand it. There has to be responsibility in reporting. This is not the kind of public discourse we should have. We are not saying, don’t cover this. Responsible journalism is recording events without inflaming them. We are interested in peace and harmony,” Bobde observed. He counselled Goswami’s lawyer, Harish Salve, to advise him to act responsibly. “There are some grounds that must be trod upon carefully.”

Salve said he would convey the CJI’s counsel. “It will be duly communicated. The court is saying free speech is fine, but we are a fragile society and must not excite people,” he said.


The CJI indicated he may offer some relief to Goswami as the latter was a journalist but cannot say that Goswami cannot be questioned. “We will protect you,” said the CJI as the state of Maharashtra offered not to arrest him. Instead Maharashtra, through senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, said it would issue him summons, giving him a 48-hour notice to appear before police to answer questions.

Singhvi also pointed out that the police had never asked Goswami to appear during night for questioning. Bobde said Goswami would be questioned in keeping with his right to dignity and privacy, adding that he would be questioned during daytime.

The CJI said, “No one was above the law but some are targeted intentionally.” He said facts should be conveyed without “inflaming” sentiments.

Salve said Goswami had sought to question as to why Sonia Gandhi was speaking up on some issues and not on others. She may file for defamation, but Section 153 A was not applicable, he argued.