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Bombay HC questions Mumbai police over TRP scam press conference
MUMBAI: After months of media furore, high profile arrests, mudslinging and courtroom drama, we have come back full circle in the TRP manipulation case. Today, the Bombay high court raised a pertinent question – what prompted the Mumbai police to hold a press conference last year over the alleged TV ratings scam.
The court was hearing a petition filed by ARG Outlier Media (holding company for Republic TV channels) challenging the criminal proceedings initiated against its channel and employees in the controversial matter. ARG Outlier is seeking, among other reliefs, that the Mumbai police's probe into the TRP scam be transferred to the CBI or any other independent agency.
"Does the police have an obligation to interact with the press? Why did the commissioner (of police) have to speak to the press?" a bench of justices SS Shinde and Manish Pitale asked.
The bench was responding to the arguments made by the ARG Outlier Media's counsel, senior advocate Ashok Mundargi.
Mundargi told the high court that the police had malafide intentions behind holding the press conference in October last year.
He also said there was no evidence against Republic TV and its editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami, but the police were trying to name them as accused "by hook or by crook".
"The police were feeding the press that a particular scam took place. This points out that there was not sufficient material to say whatever was being said," Mundargi argued.
He also said the police had arrested some employees of ARG Outlier Media and named them as accused persons in their remand applications.
However, in the charge sheet, the police had named the channel and ARG Outlier Media's employees merely as suspects, he pointed out.
Mundargi also highlighted that Sachin Waze, who had been handling the probe into the TRP manipulation case, and is now suspended over his alleged involvement in another case, was a controversial officer.
The high court will continue hearing the final arguments in the case on Wednesday. The Maharashtra government's statement made earlier this month to refrain from taking any coercive action against Goswami and the ARG Outlier Media's employees will remain in force till then.
The ARG Outlier Media and Goswami approached the Bombay high court last year filing a bunch of petitions seeking several reliefs in the TRP scam.
They alleged that the whole case was malafide and they had been targeted for Republic TV's reportage in connection with the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and the Palghar lynching case last year.
The Mumbai police in January this year filed two affidavits in the TRP case through commissioner Param Bir Singh and ACP Shashank Sandbhor of the crime branch, saying they had not targeted Republic TV or its employees.
The police said their probe into the case was not a result of any political vendetta and there was evidence to show that Goswami had connived with senior officials of the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to rig the TRP of Republic TV.
Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha today, minister of state for home G Kishan Reddy stated that the government has no information on the purported WhatsApp chats between Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami and former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta related to confidential and sensitive information, which surfaced during the investigation into the TRP scam by the Mumbai police. The response was in regards to at least six members of Parliament seeking details on the leak.
Since the chats containing details of the Balakot airstrike came to light, opposition leaders have taken aim at the NDA-led government saying that the leak of sensitive information was a breach of the country’s security. The Congress has sought a joint parliamentary committee probe into what it called a breach of national security.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
