Republic TV CFO Moves SC Against Mumbai Police's Summons In TRP Scam

In response to a notice issued by ACP, Mumbai, to summon Sundaram, it was disclosed that Sundaram has filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court in relation to this matter. He thus requested the officer to defer the investigation accordingly.

"At the outset, I would express my commitment to cooperate in the said investigations. I wish to bring to your notice that a Writ petition under Article 32 has been filed before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India (Provisional Application Number 7848/2020) in relation to the above referred matter and we have requested for an early hearing and it is likely to be listed by next week. Given that the matter is likely to be listed soon before the Hon'ble Supreme Court, I request you to not proceed any further with the investigation in so far as Republic TV and its employees are concerned," Sundaram wrote.

He has assured the Police authority that he and other concerned employees of the channel will join the investigations subject to the orders of the Supreme Court in the above referred writ petition.

The Mumbai Police on Friday issued summons to Sundaram, asking him to appear before it on Saturday morning. It is alleged that Republic TV and two other Marathi channels, manipulated their Television Rating Points, or TRP.

Republic TV, 2 Marathi Channels Manipulated TRP Ratings : Mumbai Police

Responding this development, Republic TV head Arnab Goswami issued a statement warning Mumbai Police of criminal defamation case.

"Commissioner made false allegations against Republic TV because we have questioned him in the Sushant Singh Rajput case investigation. Republic TV will file a criminal defamation case against Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh."

Later, the channel claimed to have obtained a copy of the FIR which named India Today for manipulation and not Republic TV.

The FIR has been registered for the offences of Criminal Breach of Trust and Cheating under Sections 409, 420, 120(B), 34 of IPC and is being investigated by Mr. Shashank Sandbhor, ACP (DCB, CID).