Karnataka High Court dismisses FIR against Arnab Goswami and Amit Malviya over Turkey office claim

On Friday, the Karnataka High Court, presided over by Justice M Nagaprasanna, approved petitions by former Republic TV editor Arnab Goswami and BJP leader Amit Malviya, overturning the first one outlet's report lodged against them. The FIR originated after Goswami’s May 15, 2025 broadcast and Malviya’s May 17 social-media post, which asserted that the Istanbul Congress Center functioned as an Indian National Congress office.

Investigations later revealed the building to be a convention centre owned by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. An Indian Youth Congress leader filed the complaint, invoking sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita concerning wanton provocation and intentional insult, alleging the statements were intended to mislead the public and undermine national security. Republic TV attributed the error to a video-editor’s mistake, but the Congress rejected an apology as inadequate redress. The Karnataka ruling removes the immediate criminal liability, though a separate defamation suit against Goswami remains pending in the Delhi High Court.