News Headline
TRP scam: ED attaches assets worth Rs 32 crore of 3 TV channels under scanner
NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets worth Rs 32 crore belonging to three TV channels ahead of filing its chargesheet in the TRP manipulation case.
The properties, attached under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), are owned by Fakt Marathi, Box Cinema and Maha Movie and are in the form of land, commercial and residential units in Mumbai, Indore, Delhi and Gurugram, as well as in bank balance, the central agency said in a statement.
“Fakt Marathi, Box Cinema, and Maha Movie entered into a criminal conspiracy to cheat, and committed the offence of criminal breach of trust, forgery in order to gain wrongfully by manipulating TRPs of these television channels," the ED stated.
By “fraudulently enhancing” their TRP numbers, these channels succeeded in securing “enhanced advertisement revenue”, the agency claimed.
During its investigation into the alleged TRP scam, based on an FIR lodged by the Mumbai police, the ED said the aforementioned channels generated total proceeds amounting to Rs 46 crore from the “crime”.
Further, it was discovered that in return for kickbacks, Hansa Research Group's relationship managers had divulged confidential information to "unscrupulous elements" about households where TRP-measuring BARC bar-o-meters were installed.
The agency claimed that "in two of these channels, just five compromised households were contributing to approximately 25 per cent of the viewership of Mumbai for the relevant period and for the third channel, five compromised households were contributing to about 12 per cent of viewership of Mumbai."
The Mumbai police claimed to have unearthed a purported TRP manipulation racket in the city last year in October. At a press conference to brief the media about the alleged scam, it named three channels – Republic TV, Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema – for their involvement in the matter. The controversy sent shockwaves through the broadcast industry. Over the ensuing months, the case took many twists and turns: there have been number of high profile arrests, including former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta; BARC has withheld weekly data for TV news channels and is conducting an internal probe; a committee under Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi S Vempati made recommendations to the MIB on the TV ratings ecosystem.
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.
