The Bombay High Court on Friday cautioned against allowing legal proceedings to turn into a “proxy kind of war” while hearing Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami’s challenge concerning the reopening of a 2018 case linked to the death of interior designer Anvay Naik.
Justice Milind N. Jadhav was hearing the matter concerning the FIR registered at Alibaug Police Station and the subsequent reopening of the investigation in 2020.
Background of the Case
The case relates to an FIR registered in 2018 alleging abetment of suicide. A closure report was subsequently filed and accepted by the competent Magistrate in 2019.
According to Goswami’s plea, the investigation was reopened in 2020 without prior judicial authority. His counsel, Advocate Niranjan Mundargi, submitted that the reopening was politically motivated and alleged that the process was influenced by the then prevailing political circumstances in Maharashtra.
The State, however, informed the Court that although a closure report had been filed, the investigation was later reopened in 2020.
Court’s Observation
Justice Jadhav focused on the central legal question: whether, and under what circumstances, the State could reopen a case after its closure.
“The question is whether the State has power to re-open and in what circumstances,” the Court observed.
The Judge also cautioned the parties against allowing the litigation to become an extension of a political conflict.
“This should not be a proxy kind of a war,” Justice Jadhav remarked, while stressing the importance of dissent and democratic institutions.
The Court further observed that the judiciary occupies a distinct constitutional position, stating,
“We don't make the laws. We are not the elected representatives. Neither are we the media who are like a watchdog. We are the cementing authority between all three.”
The bench also noted that “much water has flown since 2020” and asked the parties to examine the matter from a fresh perspective.
Decision
The Bombay High Court did not decide the challenge at this stage. The matter was directed to be considered further, with the primary issue remaining the circumstances in which a closed criminal case can lawfully be reopened.
The plea is listed for further hearing on September 4.
Case Details
Case Title: Arnab Goswami v. State of Maharashtra & Ors.
Case Number: Criminal Writ Petition No. 276 of 2021
Judge: Justice Milind N. Jadhav
Decision Date: August 14, 2026
