Alibaug, May 6th: The authorities registered an abetment to suicide case against three persons, including the editor-in-chief of Republic TV, Arnab Goswami, following the death of a interior designer at his residence on Saturday.

Police said Anvay Naik committed suicide by hanging himself at his bungalow in Alibaug. The body of his mother, Kumud, was found near Naik. While it is yet to ascertain how Kumud died, based on the suicide note left behind by Naik, police have registered an abetment to suicide case against Goswami, Feroz Shaikh of IcastX/Skimedia and Niteish Sarda of Smartworks.

Naik’s wife has alleged that he committed suicide, as Republic TV did not pay his dues. A statement issued by Republic TV late Saturday said that certain vested interest groups are running a false and malicious campaign and making false statements and allegations against Republic TV by exploiting a tragic event involving Naik’s unfortunate demise.

“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.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Raigad) Sanjay Patil said, “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.”

Patil said while the family stays in Mumbai, Naik owned a bungalow in Alibaug. “On Friday evening, Naik and Kumud had come to the Alibaug bungalow. On Saturday morning, some local residents found the mother’s body on the ground floor while Naik was found hanging on the first floor,” he added.

The local residents rushed the duo to a local hospital, where they were declared brought dead on arrival. “There is still no clarity on the cause of Kumud’s death. We are awaiting the postmortem report,” Patil said. No arrests have been made yet. A police officer said they will check documentation regarding the bills that were allegedly not cleared before deciding the further course of action.

 

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Bengaluru (PTI): Two people were arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe Odisha Congress MLAs, who are staying in a resort near here, party sources claimed on Sunday.

Eight MLAs, along with some other Odisha Congress unit office bearers are camping in a resort.

They have been flown to Bengaluru with apprehensions of horse trading during the Rajya Sabha elections in favour of ruling BJP's Rajya Sabha candidate.

According to the Congress sources, two persons were apprehended at a private resort for attempting to buy over Orissa Congress MLAs.

"Two people have been arrested. One of the accused has been named as Suresh. Hunt is on for the third accused, who is a defeated Lok Sabha candidate," a source told PTI.

Blank cheques were also found in their possession, they claimed. They shared the photograph and blank cheques as well.

"They tried to negotiate with the Congress MLAs by offering a blank cheque. Both have been caught and handed over to the Bidadi police," the source said.

Police sources said that they have been arrested.

According to Congress sources, the Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha will take place on Monday. The BJP has fielded one more candidate, which raised apprehensions of horse-trading.

Congress and the Biju Janata Dal have fielded a candidate.