Police in Maharashtra have filed an FIR against Republic TV founder Arnab Goswami for abetment of suicide after the death of an interior designer at his house on Saturday.
Police said that Anvay Naik committed suicide by hanging himself at his bungalow in Alibaug, reported Indian Express. Cops also found the body of Naik’s mother, Kumud. It’s, however, not clear as to how Kumud died, but police have booked Goswami, Feroz Shaikh of IcastX/Skimedia and Niteish Sarda of Smartworks for abetment of suicide.
Naik’s wife has alleged that her husband ended his life after Republic TV did not pay his dues. Additional Superintendent of Police (Raigad) Sanjay Patil was quoted by Indian Express, “An FIR has been registered against Arnab Goswami of Republic TV, Feroz Shaikh of IcastX/Skimedia and Niteish Sarda of Smartworks, on the charge of abetment to suicide at Alibaug police station on a complaint by Akshata, the wife of the deceased… The deceased, an interior decorator, had worked with the three persons he has named in the suicide note. According to his wife’s compliant, the three did not clear his pending bills, leading Naik to suffer severe losses in his business.”
While Naik’s family lived in Mumbai, the deceased owned a bungalow in Alibaug. He had visited Alibaug with his mother on Friday. Local residents found his mother’s body on the floor on Saturday while Naik’s body was found hanging.
Meanwhile, a statement by Republic TV blamed the ‘vested interest’ for ‘false and malicious campaign’ against the channel.
“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 Mr Naik’s family,” the statement said.
