Karnataka High Court quashes FIR against Arnab Goswami in ‘fake news’ case
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday quashed an FIR against Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami over allegations of airing fake news about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The Bengaluru police had booked Goswami and R Kannada editor Niranjan J in March 2024 under s. 505(2) of the IPC for allegedly promoting enmity through false statements.
The case was based on a complaint by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee member Ravindra MV, who alleged that Republic Kannada aired a report on March 27, 2024, claiming Siddaramaiah’s convoy had blocked traffic and obstructed an ambulance on MG Road in Bengaluru. The complainant stated that the chief minister was in Mysuru at the time, making the report false.
During the hearing, Justice M Nagaprasanna questioned the validity of the FIR, stating there was "absolutely nothing, abuse on its face." Goswami’s counsel, senior advocate Aruna Shyam, informed the court that the video in question was deleted within 24 hours of its broadcast.
The High Court had earlier placed an interim stay on investigations in December 2024, observing, “What has Arnab Goswami done? There is a plethora of things brought out by him. It might have proved good for some and bad for others, but where is the case of inciting?”
With the latest order, the FIR stands quashed, bringing the case to a close.
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PM Modi lauds reduction in tuberculosis incidence in India
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded the reduction in the incidence of tuberculosis in India since 2015, which was twice the global rate of decline and credited it to the expansion of treatment coverage.
India's TB incidence, which refers to new cases emerging each year, reduced by 21 per cent, from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh population in 2024, according to the World Health Organisation's Global TB Report 2025.
The reduction is almost double the pace of the decline observed globally at 12 per cent, the Health Ministry said.
"India's fight against TB is achieving remarkable momentum. The latest WHO Global tuberculosis report 2025 highlights that India has recorded a commendable reduction in TB incidence since 2015 and it is nearly twice the global rate of decline," Modi said in a post on X.
The Prime Minister said the decline in incidence of TB in India was one of the sharpest drops seen anywhere in the world.
"Equally heartening is the expansion of treatment coverage, the fall in 'missing cases' and the sustained rise in treatment success. I compliment all those who have worked towards achieving this success. We remain committed to ensuring a healthy and fit India," Modi said.
