New Delhi: Supreme Court on Thursday, during the hearing of Republic TV appeal against the summons gave by the Mumbai Police to the news channel regarding the alleged Television Rating Point (TRP) fraud, said the court is worried about the Police Commissioners giving interviews
A bench directed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and involving Justices Indu Malhotra and Indira Banerjee at the start of the hearing stated: “We are concerned about Police Commissioners giving interviews.” The Mumbai Police Commissioner held a press conference session in the scam.
The bench directed senior advocate Harish Salve, representing Republic TV, to move the Bombay High Court in the issue. Justice Chandrachud in a lighter vein told Salve: “Your office is in Worli. And, the Flora Fountain is not too far from Worli.” The Supreme court held a very brief hearing on the Republic TV appeal.
The top court saw that like any common resident confronting investigation under CrPC, petitioners should furthermore go to the High Court first. Salve consented to pull back the petition with the freedom to approach the High Court. The top court told Salve: “We should have faith in the High Court”.
The Mumbai Police has opposed the Republic TV interest for a CBI inquiry, saying the channel can’t choose which office should examine the issue. The affidavit registered by the Mumbai Police said the investigation concerning a crime can’t involve free discourse and claimed that Arnab Goswami is threatening and scaring witnesses.
The Republic TV appeal in the peak court had disputed the October 9 summons, given to the CFO of Republic Media Network, regarding the investigation in an FIR. Prior, the CFO referring to the appeal in the top court had encouraged the Mumbai Police to halt its investigation in the part of the network and its worker, as a request has been made under the steady gaze of the court for an early hearing into the issue.
Republic TV, which claims the highest TRPs or Television Rating Points among other news channels, has said that it was being targeted on for its inclusion of entertainer Sushant Singh Rajput’s demise, where they have scrutinized the role of Mumbai Police.
The channel’s editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami had stated they will sue Mumbai Police for the claims and that there is “not a single BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council) report that named Republic TV”.
He said: “The individuals of India know the reality. BARC has not mentioned Republic in any complaint.”
The police have named Republic TV, India Today TV, Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema among the accused after its careful inquiry in the last few days.
