LUCKNOW / MUMBAI: Even when Mumbai police arrested two more people on Tuesday, bringing the total to eight, as part of their investigation into allegations that Republic TV and two Marathi channels manipulated ratings, the CBI took over a case within three days of filing an FIR with the UP police in Lucknow accusing “certain channels and broadcasting companies” of participating in a “criminal conspiracy” to manipulate the PRTs with the help of “certain unknown defendants.”
In his petition to the Bombay High Court on Monday, Republic TV owner and editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami had requested the transfer of the case from Mumbai police to CBI.
Mumbai police officers said they would not be surprised if the central investigative agency tried to take over his case on the grounds that the alleged TRP scam crossed state lines. They said that given the progress they had already made in their research, they would resist such a move. The coalition government of the Sena, the NCP and Congress has disagreed with the BJP-led government in the Center on a number of issues, in particular, the CBI took over the investigation into the death of Sushant Singh Rajput despite opposition from the Mumbai police. Jurisdiction over the alleged TRP scam could become the latest flash point. the Bjp he is also in charge at UP.
A senior UP Interior Department official said the case was referred to the CBI on the recommendation of the director general of police (DGP). “The TRP scam is not just limited to UP and involves groups and individuals spread across multiple states, according to the FIR. Therefore, a central agency would be the most suitable to investigate such a case, “said the official.
“The CBI has registered a case at the request of the UP government and following a notification from the government of India to take over the investigation of the case previously recorded by the Hazratganj Police Station in Lucknow,” said a senior official from the CBI associated with the case. .
The FIR was presented on October 17 based on the complaint of a Kamal sharma, who describes himself as a regional director in an advertising and media agency; it was kept a secret until the CBI finally took over the investigation Tuesday night.
On the basis of the complaint, Hazratganj police registered an FIR on charges including criminal breach of trust, dishonesty and tampering with electronic meters and records.
.
