The Mumbai Police on Sunday arrested Republic TV CEO Vikas Khanchandani in connection with its probe into the alleged Television Rating Points (TRP) manipulation scam.
The fake TRP scam came to light in October when ratings agency Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) filed a complaint through Hansa Research Group, alleging that certain television channels were rigging TRP numbers.
Hansa is one of BARC’s vendors on engagement with panel homes or people’s meters.
TRP, measured by recording viewership data at sample households, is crucial for attracting advertisers.
As per the police, some of these households were being bribed to tune into Republic TV and a few other channels.
Republic TV has denied wrongdoing.
Another of channel’s employee – western region distribution head Ghanshyam Singh – was arrested last month in conection with the alleged scam. He was grsnted bail eaerlier this month.
The police have arrested a total of 12 persons in the case so far.
