Dasgupta rigged ratings of channel: State to HC
MUMBAI: While opposing the bail application of Partho Dasgupta, former CEO of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) who is one of the 16 accused named in the television rating points (TRP) manipulation case, the state informed the Bombay high court (HC) that Dasgupta had rigged TV ratings since 2017 in connivance with the anchor of a news channel and had also silenced an employee who had raised objections to the sudden spike in the ratings of an English news channel.
The single bench of justice PD Naik, while hearing the bail application of Dasgupta who is lodged in Taloja jail, was informed by senior counsel Aabad Ponda and advocate Shardul Singh that the police had violated the fundamental rights of Dasgupta by keeping him behind bars even after they filed a charge sheet on January 11.
Ponda submitted that the charge sheet itself admitted a more severe role of another co-accused, Romal Ramgirha, the COO of BARC, but he was granted bail within six days of his arrest.
Ponda added that the Whatsapp chats with Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami that the charge sheet referred to were loose talks and hence could not be grounds to keep Dasgupta behind bars.
Special public prosecutor Shishir Hiray for the state, however, opposed the application and submitted that though Dasgupta was the CEO and Ramgarhia was in charge of finances, it was Dasgupta who manipulated the ratings.
Hiray further added that Dasgupta had misused his power and position to benefit certain channels.
Hiray will continue arguments opposing the bail application on Tuesday.