TRP scam case: Court asks Mumbai Police, what was the urgency to arrest Republic TV CEO?
A sessions court in Mumbai has pulled up the Mumbai Police for the manner in which it arrested Republic TV Chief Executive Officer Vikas Khanchandani in connection with the TRP scam case a day before his anticipatory bail plea hearing was scheduled.
FollowA sessions court in Mumbai has pulled up the Mumbai Police for the manner in which it arrested Republic TV Chief Executive Officer Vikas Khanchandani in connection with the TRP scam case a day before his anticipatory bail plea hearing was scheduled.
Hearing a plea from Republic TV CFO S Sundaram seeking to prevent a repeat of what happened with Vikas Khanchandani, Additional Sessions Judge DE Kothalikar asked Special Public Prosecutor Sisher Hirey: "What was the urgency to arrest him (Vikas) like this a day before when the application was sub-judice?"
Maharashtra Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to DCP Crime Branch, Mumbai Police and sought a detailed report justifying Republic Media Network's CEO Vikas Khanchandani's arrest.
Sundaram's anticipatory bail plea is scheduled to be heard today even as the police custody of CEO Vikas Khanchandani gets over.
On Sundaram's plea, the court sought an assurance from the public prosecutor. The judge said, "You can wait for one day, and in any case if the application is not granted tomorrow, then you can take action. It is a matter of one day."
Both Vikas and Sundaram have undergone several hours of questioning in connection with the TRP scam.
The TRP manipulation scam came to light in October after an official of Hansa Research Group, which installs barometers to record viewership, lodged a complaint with the Mumbai Police following which the owner of Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema were arrested.
Mumbai Police believes that Khanchandani knew about alleged Logical Channel Number manipulations.
The investigators alleged that Khanchandani was part of an internal WhatsApp group in which discussions on Logical Channel Number (identification number assigned to a TV channel) would take place.
Mumbai Police claims that Republic TV allegedly used dual LCN, which allowed it to show up in the genre of 'kids channels' apart from the 'news channels' category, thus showing up at two places.
NHRC notice to Maharashtra DGP
National Human Rights Commission has taken cognisance of the complaint lodged by Republic Media Network against the horrific custodial torture of its Assitant Vice President Ghanshyam Singh who was arrested on November 10, and whiplashed with a chakki belt in custody.
The NHRC took serious note of the barbaric nature of torture and has established that such devious means have no place in a democracy.
The NHRC went on to issue a notice to the Maharashtra Director General of Police and sought a detailed response within 4 weeks.
