Srinagar, Feb 25 (Agencies): Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Srinagar on Saturday issued non- bailable arrest warrant against Republic TV’s Chief Editor Arnab Goswami and three others, asking the concerned SSPs to execute their appearance in the court on March 23, this year.

PDP senior leader and former minister Naeem Akhtar had earlier filed the complaint in the court in which he had alleged the Republic TV of broadcasting “scandalous” news content against him.

He had prayed that the accused be tried and punished in accordance with the law for the Commission of the offence under section 499 and 500 of RPC.

The CJM court on December 27 had directed managing director of the news channel Republic TV, Arnab Goswami along with Adidtya Raj Koul, Zeenat Zeshan Fazil and Sakl Bhatt to appear before the court.

On Saturday, the court observed that accused persons were required to appear to submit their bail bonds in order to procure their attendance, however the counsel for the accused persons submitted that due to prevailing situation in the valley, accused persons could not cause their presence and accused number 2 Zeenat Zeeshan Fazil who is the resident of Srinagar district could not cause appearance due to her personal and professional engagements.