Arnab Goswami made "payment in lakhs" to ex-BARC CEO Dasgupta to boost TRPs

The Mumbai Police on Monday filed a remand report submitted before Mumbai High Court. Arnab Goswami, editor of Republic Television Network, has allegedly lakhs of rupees to Partho Dasgupta, former CEO of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), to increase raise his television rating point (TRP).

“ ..When Dasgupta was the Broadcast Audience Research Council, or BARC, CEO, Arnab Goswami and other accused in the case conspired to illegally increase the TRPs of Republic Bharat Hindi news channel and Republic TV English news channel.

"Dasgupta, while serving as CEO of BARC, got involved in the conspiracy along with Arnab Goswami and others for manipulation of TRP. The police remand note alleged that Goswami has given "payment in lakhs" to Dasgupta from time to time.

It alleged that Dasgupta used this money to procure jewellery and other expensive articles which have been seized from his residence.

The magistrate, after perusing the remand note, on Monday extended the police custody of Dasgupta, who was arrested last week, till December 30.

The police said Dasgupta's further custodial interrogation was required to ascertain if more payments were made and if the same manipulation was done for other news channels too.

Dasgupta is the 15th person to be arrested in the case related to alleged rigging of TRP of some news channels.

Republic TV has denied any wrongdoing.