In yet another attempt to silence the media pointing fingers at the Thackeray government, Republic Media Network’s CEO Vikas Khanchandani was arrested by the Mumbai police on Sunday after an early morning raid. His arrest came just a day ahead of the anticipatory bail hearing. Earlier, Republic TV Editor in chief Arnab Goswami was also framed in a two-year-old case when his channel had continuously questioned the poor governance of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi.
Vikas’s arrest has led to widespread condemnation and eminent personalities have come out against the government’s selective targeting of the Republic TV crew. Responding to this incident, the editor of Organiser Weekly, Prafulla Ketkar wrote on Facebook “What a shameful & sinister plot to arrest @republic CEO #VikasKhanchandani . It is blot not just on MVA govt but the entire #Maharashtra. The liberal progressive gang that talks about ‘Purogami’ & Phule-Shahu-Ambedkar tradition is silent about the state repression of 1 channel #ReleaseRepublicCEO #vikaskhanchandani”
Former Solicitor General & Senior Advocate Ranjit Kumar while criticising Republic TV CEO’s arrest said: “Rule of law itself is violated when somebody is arrested a day before hearing of the anticipatory bail”. The Shiv Sena led MVA government has been brutal to its critics. The office structure of Bollywood Actress Kangana Ranaut was demolished by the officials of BMC- ruled by Shiv Sena for criticising Maharashtra government.
