The Supreme Court Friday provided protection from arrest for three weeks to Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami, who had approached the top court challenging the multiple FIRs filed against him across the country that accused him of making “inflammatory statements” and defaming Sonia Gandhi.

The bench comprising Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice M.R. Shah clarified that all allegations against Goswami will be investigated through one FIR in Mumbai.

The senior journalist will have to file an anticipatory bail plea within three weeks for continued protection from arrest.

The court stayed all FIRs against him, except for one in Nagpur, which will be transferred to Mumbai. Any FIR filed against him, “which arose out of a similar cause of action”, after this will also remain stayed until further orders.

The top court also asked the Mumbai Commissioner of Police to give protection to Goswami and his Republic TV office.

The court issued notice to all the states where the FIRs were lodged, and directed Goswami to amend his petition suitably, so he can seek clubbing of all FIRs against him.