Republic TV Vindicated as Mumbai Court Withdraws Fake TRP Scam Case Against Arnab Goswami

In a major victory for Arnab Goswami and Republic TV, a Mumbai court on Wednesday ordered the withdrawal of the infamous fake TRP scam case filed against them by the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government. The court’s decision came after the state government admitted that the cases and evidence against Republic TV were fabricated and based on falsified claims.

The Fake TRP Scam Saga

The TRP (Television Rating Point) manipulation controversy erupted in October 2020 when the then Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh accused Republic TV of illegally paying households to keep the channel running, even when they were not watching, to inflate viewership numbers. Despite a lack of substantial evidence, the Uddhav Thackeray government launched a witch-hunt against Arnab Goswami and Republic TV, filing cases against them.

Court Observations and State’s Admission

In a scathing observation, the court noted that the case against Republic TV was based on false evidence and coerced testimonies. The Maharashtra state government, in its application seeking closure of the case, admitted that most witnesses had stated under oath that their statements were recorded by police officers under threat and coercion.

The state’s application highlighted that the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), the sole authority for collecting viewership data, had not filed any complaint against Republic TV, rendering the prosecution futile. The application further stated, “A large number of persons are arrayed as accused in this without linking evidence.”

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Vindication for Republic TV

The court’s order and the state’s admission have vindicated Republic TV and Arnab Goswami, who had consistently maintained their innocence and accused the previous government of pursuing a vendetta against them. The Enforcement Directorate’s charge sheet, filed in September last year, had already confirmed the lack of evidence against Republic Media Network in the fake TRP case.

This development marks a significant victory for press freedom and highlights the need for impartial investigations and due process. The withdrawal of the case against Republic TV serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the principles of fair trial and safeguarding the rights of journalists and media organizations.