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The Mumbai court observed that Partho Dasgupta, former CEO of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) had played a vital role in the alleged Television Rating Points (TRP) Manipulation scam while rejecting his bail plea. The order was passed on January 4 and a copy was made available on January 6, 2021.
The accused, Dasgupta was arrested by police in December 2020.
Chief metropolitan magistrate, Sudhir Bhajipale rejected his bail on January 4, 2021. He observed “The present applicant (Dasgupta) played the vital role in the commission of offence”
As per the details in the court order, Dasgupta was the CEO of BARC from June 2013 to November 2019.
The court also mentioned that the accused is the “most influential person who worked as CEO and the other persons or accused are yet to be interrogated” the material collected by investigating officers shows that Dasgupta manipulated TRP for some channels by using his power as the CEO of BARC.
The court believed that Dasgupta’s release would further hamper the investigation in progress. In such circumstances, further investigation requires to keep the present accused further from the wanted to be accused and other material witnesses.
“Considering the said fact, the principle of parity is not applicable in the case of recent applicant,” said the court.
After the court had remanded him in judicial custody, Dasgupta had filed the bail plea on December 30, 2020.
In the application of Dasgupta he mentioned that he is only an employee of BARC and not a “whole and sole authority”, there are other authorities above him.
The police also claimed that Dasgupta was paid in lakhs by Goswami. However, Republic TV denied the said claim.
The TRP scam came into recognition months ago when rating agency BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council) lodged a complaint through Hansa Research Group, asserting that some TV channels were manipulating TRP numbers.
Hansa had been responsible for installing barometers, which records viewership data at sample households.
TRP is important as the advertising revenue of channels depends on it.
Last month Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh claimed that Arnab Goswami-led Republic TV and two Marathi channels were alleged in TRP manipulation.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has now filed a money laundering complaint in the TRP scam which is being investigated by the Mumbai Police.