ITV

Tag: TRP Scam

  • TRP scam: ED attaches assets worth Rs 32 crore of 3 TV channels under scanner

    TRP scam: ED attaches assets worth Rs 32 crore of 3 TV channels under scanner

    NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets worth Rs 32 crore belonging to three TV channels ahead of filing its chargesheet in the TRP manipulation case.

    The properties, attached under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), are owned by Fakt Marathi, Box Cinema and Maha Movie and are in the form of land, commercial and residential units in Mumbai, Indore, Delhi and Gurugram, as well as in bank balance, the central agency said in a statement.

    “Fakt Marathi, Box Cinema, and Maha Movie entered into a criminal conspiracy to cheat, and committed the offence of criminal breach of trust, forgery in order to gain wrongfully by manipulating TRPs of these television channels," the ED stated.

    By “fraudulently enhancing” their TRP numbers, these channels succeeded in securing “enhanced advertisement revenue”, the agency claimed.

    During its investigation into the alleged TRP scam, based on an FIR lodged by the Mumbai police, the ED said the aforementioned channels generated total proceeds amounting to Rs 46 crore from the “crime”.

    Further, it was discovered that in return for kickbacks, Hansa Research Group's relationship managers had divulged confidential information to "unscrupulous elements" about households where TRP-measuring BARC bar-o-meters were installed.

    The agency claimed that "in two of these channels, just five compromised households were contributing to approximately 25 per cent of the viewership of Mumbai for the relevant period and for the third channel, five compromised households were contributing to about 12 per cent of viewership of Mumbai."

    The Mumbai police claimed to have unearthed a purported TRP manipulation racket in the city last year in October. At a press conference to brief the media about the alleged scam, it named three channels – Republic TV, Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema – for their involvement in the matter. The controversy sent shockwaves through the broadcast industry. Over the ensuing months, the case took many twists and turns: there have been number of high profile arrests, including former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta; BARC has withheld weekly data for TV news channels and is conducting an internal probe; a committee under Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi S Vempati made recommendations to the MIB on the TV ratings ecosystem. 

  • Bombay HC questions Mumbai police over TRP scam press conference

    Bombay HC questions Mumbai police over TRP scam press conference

    MUMBAI: After months of media furore, high profile arrests, mudslinging and courtroom drama, we have come back full circle in the TRP manipulation case. Today, the Bombay high court raised a pertinent question – what prompted the Mumbai police to hold a press conference last year over the alleged TV ratings scam. 

    The court was hearing a petition filed by ARG Outlier Media (holding company for Republic TV channels) challenging the criminal proceedings initiated against its channel and employees in the controversial matter. ARG Outlier is seeking, among other reliefs, that the Mumbai police's probe into the TRP scam be transferred to the CBI or any other independent agency.

     

    "Does the police have an obligation to interact with the press? Why did the commissioner (of police) have to speak to the press?" a bench of justices SS Shinde and Manish Pitale asked.

    The bench was responding to the arguments made by the ARG Outlier Media's counsel, senior advocate Ashok Mundargi.

    Mundargi told the high court that the police had malafide intentions behind holding the press conference in October last year.

    He also said there was no evidence against Republic TV and its editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami, but the police were trying to name them as accused "by hook or by crook".

    "The police were feeding the press that a particular scam took place. This points out that there was not sufficient material to say whatever was being said," Mundargi argued.

    He also said the police had arrested some employees of ARG Outlier Media and named them as accused persons in their remand applications.

    However, in the charge sheet, the police had named the channel and ARG Outlier Media's employees merely as suspects, he pointed out.

    Mundargi also highlighted that Sachin Waze, who had been handling the probe into the TRP manipulation case, and is now suspended over his alleged involvement in another case, was a controversial officer.

    The high court will continue hearing the final arguments in the case on Wednesday. The Maharashtra government's statement made earlier this month to refrain from taking any coercive action against Goswami and the ARG Outlier Media's employees will remain in force till then.

    The ARG Outlier Media and Goswami approached the Bombay high court last year filing a bunch of petitions seeking several reliefs in the TRP scam.

    They alleged that the whole case was malafide and they had been targeted for Republic TV's reportage in connection with the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and the Palghar lynching case last year.

    The Mumbai police in January this year filed two affidavits in the TRP case through commissioner Param Bir Singh and ACP Shashank Sandbhor of the crime branch, saying they had not targeted Republic TV or its employees.

    The police said their probe into the case was not a result of any political vendetta and there was evidence to show that Goswami had connived with senior officials of the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to rig the TRP of Republic TV.

    Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha today, minister of state for home G Kishan Reddy stated that the government has no information on the purported WhatsApp chats between Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami and former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta related to confidential and sensitive information, which surfaced during the investigation into the TRP scam by the Mumbai police. The response was in regards to at least six members of Parliament seeking details on the leak.

    Since the chats containing details of the Balakot airstrike came to light, opposition leaders have taken aim at the NDA-led government saying that the leak of sensitive information was a breach of the country’s security. The Congress has sought a joint parliamentary committee probe into what it called a breach of national security.

  • TRP scam investigating Mumbai cop Sachin Vaze arrested

    TRP scam investigating Mumbai cop Sachin Vaze arrested

    MUMBAI: Mumbai police’s assistant inspector Sachin Vaze was arrested by the National Investigating Agency last evening. There are allegations that he played a part in the conspiracy which saw an explosive-laden vehicle found parked near billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Antila residence in south Mumbai last month. The central agency interrogated the celebrity cop for 12 hours before placing him under arrest. He was the lead investigator in the same case before it was transferred to the Mumbai police’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and later to the NIA.

    A Thane-based auto parts dealer Mansukh Hiran had claimed ownership of the abandoned vehicle, informing the cops that it had been stolen a week earlier. Later, his body was found in a marshy area in Mumbai on 5 March. Hiran’s wife Vimla had pointed the finger at Vaze, alleging he had a hand to play in the murder and that he had taken possession of her husband’s car in November, which he then returned in early February and it had been stolen thereafter.

    Questions are being asked about the impact Vaze’s arrest will have on the future course of the alleged TRP scam that he was spearheading. In fact, it was he who picked up Republic TV promoter and editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami from his home a few months ago. The case has seen several arrests including former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta, and charge sheets had been filed against Republic CEO Vikas Khanchandani, and former BARC COO Romil Ramgarhia earlier this year in January.

    Goswami has all along alleged that the entire TRP controversy has been raked up by the Maharashtra government in cahoots with the Mumbai police in an act of vendetta against him and his channel, because they were investigating what they claim was a botched up investigation into actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death

    A senior media professional on the condition of anonymity stated that with Vaze’s arrest and alleged implication in the explosives case, the credibility of the TRP manipulation investigation can definitely be questioned.

  • TRP scam: Interim relief to Arnab Goswami extended till 16 March.

    TRP scam: Interim relief to Arnab Goswami extended till 16 March.

    New Delhi: The Mumbai police has told the Bombay high court that its assurance of not taking any coercive action against Republic TV's editor-in-chief journalist Arnab Goswami in the TRP scam case will continue till 16 March, news agency PTI reported on Friday.

    The court was hearing a petition filed by ARG Outlier Media, that runs Republic TV channels, which had challenged the FIR and the chargesheet filed by the Mumbai police for alleged manipulation of television rating points (TRP).

    Appearing on behalf of the Mumbai police, senior counsel Kapil Sibal told a division bench of justices SS Shinde and Manish Pitale that the police's earlier statement of no coercive action against Goswami and other employees of ARG Outlier Media will be extended till 16 March.

    The case was adjourned for next hearing on 16 March, when the court will hear ARG's main prayers challenging the police's investigation. It has also sought the transfer of probe to an independent agency.

    ARG media and Goswami had approached the high court last year alleging that the entire case was malafide, and claimed that they have been targeted for Republic TV's reportage in the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, and the Palghar lynching case.

    Early this year, the Mumbai police had filed two affidavits in the case, saying it had not targeted Republic TV or its employees. The police had said its probe was not a result of any political vendetta and that there was evidence to show that Goswami had allegedly connived with senior officials of BARC to rig the TRPs of Republic TV.

    The scam had come to light in October last year when Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) lodged a complaint with the Mumbai police through Hansa Research Group, alleging that certain television channels were rigging TRP numbers. Since then, 15 arrests have been made in the case, the most prominent being former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta, who recently got bail. Dasgupta has been granted bail, subject to his furnishing a bond of Rs 2 lakh.

  • TRP scam: In bail plea, Partho Dasgupta claims no advertiser was deceived

    TRP scam: In bail plea, Partho Dasgupta claims no advertiser was deceived

    NEW DELHI: While seeking bail from a Mumbai sessions court in the alleged TRP scam case, former Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) CEO Partho Dasgupta’s counsel claimed that no advertiser has been deceived by him. The offence of cheating was added only to include a non-bailable offence, and that there was no evidence to show that Dasgupta cheated or induced any person.

    The actual stakeholders who are supposed to be affected by the alleged TRP scam are actually the advertisers and media houses who are not the complainants, advocate Shardul Singh submitted.

    “No advertiser has come forward to say that it has been so deceived. The prosecution had ample time since lodging of FIR to verify this position, however it did not do so, because there is no advertiser who is deceived,” he argued.

    The lawyer also mentioned that the jewellery and other articles recovered from the bank lockers of Dasgupta and his family were purchased much before the launch of Republic TV. He also questioned why Goswami has not been named in the FIR or chargesheet and pointed out that former COO of BARC Romil Ramgarhia was also released on bail despite being in an equally important position in the agency.

    He further submitted that all electronics belonging to Dasgupta, which he allegedly used during his tenure as CEO, were already seized by the police, and all financial transactions and statements were also made available to them for investigation. Thus, there was no further requirement of his custody in jail.

    Dasgupta was arrested on 24 December by the Mumbai police for his alleged involvement in the TRP manipulation racket. He was in police custody till 31 December, after which he was remanded to judicial custody for two weeks. The matter of Dasgupta’s bail plea has now been adjourned to 15 January. 

  • TRP scam: Mumbai police files chargesheet against Vikas Khanchandani, Romil Ramgarhia & Partho Dasgupta

    TRP scam: Mumbai police files chargesheet against Vikas Khanchandani, Romil Ramgarhia & Partho Dasgupta

    NEW DELHI: The Mumbai police has filed supplementary chargesheet against Republic TV CEO Vikas Khanchandani, former BARC COO Romil Ramgarhia and former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta.

    The chargesheet runs over 5,000 pages in 13 volumes.

    While Khanchadani was earlier released on bail, Ramgarhia and Dasgupta are in police custody. Police has been interrogating Dasgupta, who was denied bail and remanded in judicial custody for 14 days.

    The TRP scam has got even murkier with police claiming to have vital evidence in the case against ARG Outlier Media owner Arnab Goswami trying to bribe former BARC employees to extend favours to Republic TV.

    Mumbai Police is relentlessly collecting evidence and so far made 15 arrests in connection with the case, including the owners of the Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema channels, the distribution head of Republic TV, several former relationship managers of Hansa Research Group, hired by BARC.

    The alleged scam came to light last year when ratings agency BARC filed a complaint through Hansa Research Group, saying certain television channels were rigging TRP numbers.

    At a press conference held on 8 October 2020, Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh claimed that Republic TV and two Marathi channels – Box Cinema and Fakt Marathi – were involved in manipulating TRP for better advertisement revenue.

    Republic TV and other accused have denied any wrongdoing and manipulation of ratings.

  • TRP scam: India Today CFO summoned by ED

    TRP scam: India Today CFO summoned by ED

    NEW DELHI: India Today group CFO Dinesh Bhatia has been summoned by the enforcement directorate (ED) for questioning in connection with the alleged TRP scam. Media reports state that he is expected to appear before the investigative agency on Monday. 

    India Today’s name had reportedly appeared in the initial FIR filed by Hansa Research in the case, which was brought to light by the Mumbai police in October last year. However, Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh had later stated that no evidence came up against the channel in further investigation. 

    Mumbai police has thus far arrested 15 people in connection with the case, including the owners of the Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema channels, the distribution head of Republic TV and several former relationship managers of Hansa Research Group, hired by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC). Former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta is currently in police custody for his alleged involvement in the rigging of ratings, his bail plea having been denied by the court.

    The ED had earlier registered an enforcement case information report (ECIR), the equivalent of FIRs filed by the police, investigating money laundering allegations in the case. 

  • TRP scam: Mumbai police claims to have ‘serious evidence’ against Republic TV

    TRP scam: Mumbai police claims to have ‘serious evidence’ against Republic TV

    NEW DELHI: The Mumbai police has informed the Bombay high court that it has found serious evidence against Republic TV and its editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami in the alleged TRP manipulation racket.

    However, on request of Republic TV’s lawyer, the bench adjourned the hearing in the TRP case to 15 January. The court was hearing the plea filed by Republic TV challenging the FIR and charge sheet filed by Mumbai police in relation to the alleged ratings scam.

    Advocate Niranjan Mundargi, appearing for ARG Outlier led by senior advocate Ashok Mundargi, requested the court for time due to some medical emergency in his family.

    In reaction, Mumbai police’s counsel, senior advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned that they have found some serious evidence on record through their investigation with BARC, and therefore, did not want to continue granting them any protection from any coercive action. He insisted that the matter may not be adjourned any further than 15 January. 

    He also told the HC that the police will submit a status report of its probe in the case on the next date of hearing. Sibal also agreed to continue with the previous assurance that no coercive actions would be taken against either Arnab Goswami or any employee of Republic till the next date of hearing.

    The alleged scam came to light last year when ratings agency BARC filed a complaint through Hansa Research Group, saying certain television channels were rigging TRP numbers.

    At a press conference held on 8 October 8 2020, Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh claimed that Republic TV and two Marathi channels – Box Cinema and Fakt Marathi – were involved in manipulating TRP for better advertisement revenue.

    Republic TV and other accused have denied any wrongdoing and manipulation of ratings.

  • Partho Dasgupta played ‘vital role’ in TRP scam, says Mumbai court

    Partho Dasgupta played ‘vital role’ in TRP scam, says Mumbai court

    NEW DELHI: A Mumbai court has observed that former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta played a ‘vital role’ in the alleged Television Rating Points (TRP) manipulation scam.

    The observation was stated in a court order that was passed on 4 January while rejecting his bail plea. The copy of the order was made available today. Chief metropolitan magistrate Sudhir Bhajipale on Monday had rejected Dasgupta’s bail plea. He was arrested by the Mumbai police last month.

    In his order, the magistrate said the material available on record shows involvement of the accused in the alleged crime. "The present applicant (Dasgupta) played the vital role in the commission of offence," he noted.

    The material collected by the investigating officer shows that Dasgupta manipulated TRP for particular channels by using his office as the CEO of BARC, the court observed.

    The order further said that the accused is the "most influential person who worked as CEO and the other persons or accused are yet to be interrogated.”

    "In such circumstances, it is the requirement of further investigation (which is still underway) to keep the present accused away from the wanted accused and other material witnesses," it added.

    The court was of the view that Dasgupta's release will hamper further investigation, which is still in progress.

    One of the grounds cited by Dasgupta for seeking release on bail was parity with the other accused, including BARC's former chief operating officer Romil Ramgarhia.

    The court, however, noted that no doubt the other accused are released on bail, but they have played a different role than Dasgupta in commission of the offence.

    "Considering the said fact, the principle of parity is not applicable in case of the present applicant," it said.

    Dasgupta filed his bail plea on 30 December 2020, after the court remanded him in judicial custody.

    In his application, Dasgupta claimed he was only an employee of BARC and not a "whole and sole (authority)", and that there exists a board of directors and a disciplinary committee above him in the council.

    However, Mumbai police argued that Dasgupta, in connivance with another senior official from BARC and ARG Outlier Media owner Arnab Goswami, manipulated the TRPs of Republic TV and Republic Bharat (Hindi).

    The police had claimed that Goswami paid in lakhs to Dasgupta in return for the manipulation.

  • TRP scam: Partho Dasgupta’s bail plea rejected

    TRP scam: Partho Dasgupta’s bail plea rejected

    NEW DELHI: The Esplanade magistrate court in Mumbai has rejected the bail plea of former Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India CEO Partho Dasgupta, in connection with the alleged TRP manipulation case. His lawyer is, reportedly, planning to approach the Mumbai high court. 

    In related news, Dasgupta was questioned in connection with the gold and silver ornaments worth Rs 48 lakh found in a bank locker maintained by his wife by the crime intelligence unit of Mumbai police on Sunday. The interrogation, as reported by The Times of India, went on for one hour. 

    Police obtained permission from the 37th metropolitan magistrate court to interrogate him. SB Bhajipale directed the Taloja jail superintendent to make arrangements for Dasgupta's interrogation saying, “….this court has already rejected the prayers… for further police custody on December 30. However, considering the requirement of investigations as mentioned by the prosecution, I come to the conclusion that personal interrogations of the accused for one hour in jail premises will suffice the purpose of the investigating officer.”

    Dasgupta was arrested in the TRP scam on 30 December and remanded to Taloja Jail. His bail plea, which was earlier scheduled for 1 January, might come up on Monday.