"arnab"

Antony said, "The contents of the leaked chats between Goswami of Republic TV and the former CEO of BARC is a serious issue for the entire nation."

The bench also said the Supreme Court, high courts and lower courts must be alive to the misuse of criminal law by the state machinery.

The top court expressed concern over state governments targeting some individuals on the basis of ideology and difference of opinion.

The HC noted that the petitioner (Goswami) has the remedy under law to approach the sessions court concerned and seek regular bail.

The Raigad crime branch found Goswami was active on social media using somebody's mobile phone, despite his personal mobile phone having been seized by police.

Goswami and the other accused - Feroze Shaikh and Nitish Sarda - had challenged their "illegal arrest" and sought to be released on interim bail.

The top court directed the Secretary of Maharashtra legislative assembly to explain in two weeks as to why the contempt proceedings be not initiated against him.