Arnab Goswami, two others booked by Alibaug Police for abetting suicide of interior designer

Alibaug Police booked Arnab Goswami and two others for abetment of suicide following the death of an interior designer on Saturday, according to several media reports. Goswami, editor-in-chief and managing director of Republic TV and two others, were booked under Section 306 (abetting suicide) of the Indian Penal Code after police lodged a case on the basis of a complaint filed by Akshata Naik, the wife of interior decorator Anvay Naik, who allegedly killed himself over non-payment of dues by Republic TV, Times Now reported. [caption id=“attachment_3389246” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Arnab Goswami. CNN-News18[/caption] Anvay reportedly left behind a suicide note naming three people: Goswami, Feroz Shaikh of IcastX and Nitesh Sarda of Smartworks. His 48-year-old wife told the police her husband was under financial stress after his dues were not paid by Republic TV, the report added. The suicide note claimed that Republic TV owes Rs 83 lakh to the designer, while IcastX owed dues over Rs 400 lakh and Nitesh Sarda of Smartworks owes Rs 55 lakh. A statement issued by Republic TV late Saturday said certain vested interest groups are running a false and malicious campaign and making false statements and innuendos against Republic TV by exploiting a tragic event, The Indian Express reported. “Republic TV will take strict legal action against anyone indulging in such false propaganda. Republic TV would like to clarify that it had engaged the services of one Concorde Designs Private Limited sometime in December 2016. All amounts due and payable under the contract were paid by Republic TV to Concorde Designs. The details of payment, including cheque numbers, amounts, dates of payment, related correspondence and documentation are available with Republic TV. All such details and evidence will be given to the appropriate authorities as and when required. Our thoughts and prayers are with Naik’s family”, the statement read. On Saturday, locals found the body of Anvay’s mother on the ground, while his body was found on the first floor, the report quoted the police as saying. The residents then rushed the two to a nearby hospital, where they were declared dead on arrival.