Updated: October 15, 2020 2:24:27 pm
Mumbai police are investigating “fradulent” manipulation of TRPs involving three channels, including Republic TV. (Photos: Express, Wikimedia Commons)
On Thursday, the Supreme Court ordered Republic TV to address the Bombay High Court with its petition regarding the alleged Television Rating Point (TRP) scam. Republic TV CFO Shiva Sundaram contested the subpoena issued by Mumbai police to the television channel in connection with the case.
“… We must have faith in our HCs,” said Judge DY Chandrachud during the hearing, adding that it would be inappropriate for the Supreme Court to hear the case before the HC.
Judge Chandrachud headed the court that also included judges Indu Malhotra and Indira Banerjee. “We are just saying approach the HC first,” added Judge Malhotra, reported Bar and bench.
Read also | Amid TRP Scam Row, BARC Pauses Weekly News Channel Ratings
Appearing on behalf of the media house, chief advocate Harish Salve expressed apprehension at the Mumbai police investigation, saying that “lately, there is a tendency for commissioners to be giving interviews” to the press. Judge Chandrachud expressed concern about this.
SC asks Republic TV to approach Bombay HC first. Judge DY Chandrachud says that “we must have faith in our HC.” He adds to the court also concerned about the way in which the police commissioners are giving interviews to the press these days @IndianExpress https://t.co/WUFOXmMdp8
– Ananthakrishnan G (@axidentaljourno) October 15, 2020
During the hearing, the Mumbai police objected to Republic TV’s request, saying that Article 19 (1) (a) could not be invoked to evade, thwart and prevent the investigation of the competent authorities in the matter.
Mumbai police are investigating the “fradulent” manipulation of the PRTs which involves three channels – Republic, Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema – mainly in the city.
“We discovered that some channels were paying former employees of the Hansa Research Group agency, which is hired by BARC to carry out the investigation, to manipulate the TRPs in their favor. This is mainly in the Mumbai region, ”Singh said. “In turn, they were paying select households to install BAR-o-meters to keep certain channels like Republic on to show higher TRPs,” Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh said in early October.
Explained | Tv Rating Point Manipulation: How TRPs Work, The Scam
(With PTI inputs)
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