Republic TV CEO Officially Arrested For TRP Manipulation Investigation

On Sunday 14 December, 2020, the joint commissioner of Mumbai police Milind Bharambhe confirmed the arrest of Republic TV CEO (chief executive officer) Vikas Khanchandani in relation to the TRP fraud case (manipulation of television rating points).

Vikas Khanchandani was aware of TRP fraud

According to reports, Khanchandani had been summoned by Mumbai investigators twice to be interrogated on the TRP scam before his arrest. Not sure the Republic TV CEO admitted his involvement or not, but police found he was active in an internal WhatsApp group. This is where many Republic TV officials discussed the use of LCN.

For your information, Mumbai police have found some cable operators used dual LCN (landing channel number) technology to facilitate the viewing of one channel on two different numbers at a time. Later, they discovered the link between Republic TV and those cable operators who promoted the LCN technology to manipulate its TRPs.

During the investigation, Mumbai police seized the phone of Republic TV chief operating officer Priya Mukherjee. From this device, the officials found some people discussed abusing LCN to boost TRPs for Republic TV. Vikas Khanchandani was also in the group so he was totally aware of the scam. Vikas, however, reportedly refused to submit his phone to the police.

Anyway, he has been arrested and will be interrogated over the use of LCN as well as the money paid for cable operators. Vikas will also face allegations of arranging funds to bribe families who use TV barometers to boost Republic TV’s TRPs.

Arnab Goswami believed the truth would triumph

At the moment, there hasn’t been any official announcement from the channel yet. Having said that, it was seen quoting Arnab Goswami’s post as below:

“The truth will triumph. Republic refuses to compromise. We hope the Bombay HC takes suo motu cognisance of this as court remands CEO Vikas Khanchandani to police custody.”

Before that, Arnab Goswami was arrested in relation to a suicide abetment case. He also warned to sue the Mumbai police over allegations of TRPs fraud case earlier. It turned out the Mumbai police commissioner had solid evidence to accuse the channel of the scam, and no court case has been filed against him.

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