TRP scam case: Mumbai court rejects bail plea of former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta

A Mumbai Sessions Court on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) Partho Dasgupta in a case related to the Television Rating Points Scam (TRP Scam).

Dasgupta was arrested by Mumbai Police on December 24 for his alleged involvement in the TRP Scam. He was in police custody till December 31, after which he was remanded to judicial custody for two weeks.

Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Shishir Hirey opposed the bail plea for the State, arguing that Dasgupta had misused his position as CEO of BARC for personal gain. He added that Dasgupta's conduct amounted to "tainting the sanctity of the post he held", Bar & Bench reported.

The SPP also referred substantially to chats allegedly exchanged between Dasgupta and Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami. He contended that Goswami and Dasgupta had colluded to manipulate the TRPs of Republic TV channels.

In his rejoinder arguments, advocate Shardul Singh, appearing for Dasgupta, informed the Court that his client's health was fragile and it would deteriorate further leading to a diabetic coma if he continues to stay in jail. He reiterated that the highest decision-making body at BARC was the board, and that Dasgupta was not a member of that board.

Dasgupta had approached the Sessions Court after Chief Metropolitan Magistrate rejected his bail application, stating that he played a vital role in the TRP scam.

Dasgupta had refuted the allegations of the Mumbai Police that he had misused his position as CEO to manipulate TRPs and submitted that he had no control over the data as it was collected and provided by the Hansa Research Company.