The Karnataka High Court granted transit bail to Republic TV COO Priya Mukherjee in fake TRP scam case.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court, on Wednesday, granted transit bail to Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Republic TV, Priya Mukherjee in the fake TRP scam case registered by Mumbai Police.
After the period of 20 days, she has to approach the appropriate forum for relief, ordered the High Court. In the meanwhile if she is arrested, she should be released on bail on a bond of Rs 2 lakh and two sureties.
"When personal liberty of a person is under threat the petitioner can seek relief. The petition has made out ground to grant transit bail for limited period", observed a bench of Justice H P Sandesh in the order.
Mukherjee’s counsel had contended that she was ready to co-operate with the ongoing investigation in the matter and, therefore, pre-arrest transit bail should be granted to her.
In her anticipatory bail application, Mukharjee had claimed that her and other employees of ARG Outlier (Holding company of Republic TV) have been falsely implicated in the matter based on the press statements given by the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai.
It was further submitted in the plea that the Mumbai police has ill-will against the Republic TV and Arnab Goswami as the latter had questioned the tardy investigation of the Mumbai Police in the suicide case of Sushant Singh Rajput and Palghar lynching case.
The Court also observed in the order that police was misusing the SC judgement in Arnesh Kumar v State of Bihar case.
"Police are not applying their mind whether a cognizable offence is made out or not. Police should satisfy the Court on why they are arresting a person", the HC observed. The Court added that in such cases it has to come to the rescue of the citizen.
Mukherjee had sought transit bail apprehending arrest in the Fake Television Rating Points (TRP) Scam case registered by the Mumbai police.