Arnab Goswami arrested in 2-year old suicide case, BJP calls it 'shades of emergency'

Goswami, the editor-in-chief of Republic TV, has been arrested for allegedly abetting the suicide of a 53-year old interior designer Anvay Naik and his mother couple of years ago.

The senior journalist was seen in some visuals being taken into a police van in the morning.

Goswami has been having a bitter tussle with the Maharashtra government and police since the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

Goswami's Republic TV had questioned the handling of Rajput's death, which was later cleared of having a foul play by All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS).

Republic TV had a faceoff with Mumbai Police after Goswami's channel was alleged to have fudged television ratings.

Following the arrest in connection with a two-year old case, several Union Ministers and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have blasted the Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress government in Maharashtra.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, "Congress and its allies have shamed democracy once again. Blatant misuse of state power against Republic TV & Arnab Goswami is an attack on individual freedom and the 4th pillar of democracy. It reminds us of the Emergency. This attack on free press must be and WILL BE OPPOSED."

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted, "Shades of the Emergency! The arrest of Arnab Goswami is an attack on the freedom of press. Those who really believe in this freedom must speak up!"

Like his party colleagues, BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda reminded people of the Emergency rule which was imposed by the Congress government in 1975 under the leadership of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Nadda tweeted, "Every person who believes in a free press and freedom of expression is furious at the Maharashtra Government’s bullying and harassment of Arnab Goswami. This is yet another instance of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi-directed antic of silencing those who disagree with them. Shameful!"

"India didn’t forgive Indira Gandhi for the Emergency. India never forgave Rajiv Gandhi for his assault on press freedom. And now, India will again punish Sonia-Rahul Gandhi for their brazen and intimidating use of state power to get equal with journalists."