Mumbai Police Accuses Republic TV Of TRP Fraud, May Seize Its Advertising Funds And Freeze Accounts

Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh in a press-conference on Thursday (8 October) accused Republic TV and two Marathi Channels - Fakta Marathi and Box Cinema of manipulating TRP figures.

The owners of the Marathi channels have already been arrested and action is expected to be taken against Republic TV's officials found involved in this matter.

As per Singh, the extra advertising revenue generated as a result of these high TRP runs into hundreds of crores and it will be examined whether they can be termed as "proceeds of crime".

Singh also alleged that people were paid to keep the channels switched on for an entire day in a bid to manipulate the ratings.

As per reports, the police investigation began over a complaint by Hansa Research against its ex-employees accusing them of misusing the household data. Hansa Research was given a contract by BARC to monitor TRP barometers in Mumbai.

The promoters and directors of Republic TV are expected to be summoned as part of this investigation.