Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (SD)
Mumbai, Oct 16: On the ongoing investigation on the TRP manipulation scam, the city police officials said that four people have given statements before a magistrate that two TV channels made direct payments for keeping the TV on for a fixed duration to increase the viewership. The official further said that they would be treated as witnesses.
Of the four, three have deposed that Republic TV made them payments while the other one was said to be paid by Box Cinema as per the statements given. Parambir Singh, Mumbai police commissioner confirmed that two named Republic TV officials in rigging the viewership. However, he refused to disclose any further information stating it would hamper the investigation that is underway and in its crucial stage, sources from TOI stated.
The crime branch is investigating Republic TV, Box Cinema and Fakt Marathi on charges of TRP manipulation and rigging viewership which drives advertisement.
Statements from the witnesses were recorded under Section 164 of CrPC that deals with recording and confession of statements by a metropolitan magistrate or judicial magistrate in the course of investigation ensuring that the witnesses are made voluntarily, the police said. The police further said that now it could not be alleged any forceful confession from the witnesses.