Mumbai: Arnab Goswami, and two others have been booked by Alibaug Police after the death of an interior designer. Anvay Naik (53) committed suicide on Saturday at his Alibaug residence by hanging himself. The dead body of Naik’s mother, Kumud, 78, was also found near his body. The FIR was registered on the basis of a suicide note that was found near the body.
The police have registered a case of abetting suicide under IPC section 306 against the three people who allegedly did not pay Naik’s dues. Apart from the editor-in-chief of Republic TV Arnab Goswami, Feroz Shaikh of IcastX/Skimedia and Neetish Sarda of Smartworks are the other accused.
A complaint was filed by Naik’s wife, Akshata, after the incident. When asked whether the accused will be called for an investigation, Additional Superintendent of Police (Raigad) Sanjay Patil refused to comment. “Both the bodies were found in Kavir village of Alibaug. On the basis of a complaint given by Naik’s wife, we have registered a case. Three people who were named in the suicide note have been named as accused in the FIR. As per the complaint, Naik did not receive money for his work,” said Patil.
As per the complaint, Naik runs an interior designing firm called Concorde Designs Private Limited. Naik had done architectural work for companies of the three accused. Despite his repeated pleas, the companies refused to pay Naik his dues.
Due to this Naik and his mother were under immense mental pressure and took the drastic measure. When Akshata was contacted she said she is not in a state to comment.
Meanwhile, Republic TV issued a statement refuting the allegations.
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 Naiks family, read the statement.
