Keypoints:
- High level 40 member team led by Kokan range inspector was drafted to arrest Arnab Goswami in the 2018 suicide abetment case.
- Preparations for “Operation Arnab” began a few days after reopening the probe.
- 40 personnel were drawn from Mumbai and Raigad police.
NCPs Anil Deshmukh led the state home department and drafted a high level 40 member team which was led by the Kokan Range inspector general Sanjay Mohite to arrest Arnab Goswami in the 2018 case of suicide abetment.
The preparation for “Operation Arnab” began only after the Raigad Police secured permission to reopen the probe into the alleged suicides of the architect Anway Naik and his mother Kumud in 2018. In all, 40 personnel were drawn from Mumbai and Raigad police.
A plan was drafted by Mohite to to arrest Arnab while the responsibility to execute it was entrusted to high profile encounter specialist Sachin Vaze.
“For the team led by Mohite, it was a challenging task in view of the powerful Arnab. We acted very carefully, every member of the team observed restraint despite provocation,” said a senior cabinet member.
On Wednesday, Arnab was arrested in the early hours. The early hours were specifically chosen by the police personels to make sure that Arnab was home.
“It was a planned operation, even small issues were taken care of. It was decided who will knock on the door, who will talk to Arnab and his family members and what the course of action will be if he resists. Arnab did resist. However, after Vaze explained to him the legal position if he failed to join the Investigation, if was a smooth affair,” he said.
Also, the hearing on a petition filed by Arnab Goswami for 3 pm, today, has been adjourned by the Bombay High Court. The Editor in Chief of the Republic TV was challenging his arrest and seeking to quash the abetment to suicide case filed against him. Until now, he has not been granted any relief from the court.
