TRP scam case: Former BARC CEO’s bail plea rejected

A sessions court on Wednesday rejected the bail application of Partho Dasgupta, the former CEO of the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) who was arrested by Mumbai police in the alleged Television Rating Points (TRP) scam.

Dasgupta was arrested on December 24 on charges of criminal breach of trust and cheating. His previous bail application, filed before the metropolitan magistrate’s court, was rejected earlier this month following which he moved the sessions court.

The special public prosecutor, Shishir Hiray, had objected to the bail application saying that the probe is still on. He also referred to the chats, part of the supplementary chargesheet filed against Dasgupta, claiming that the TRP system was manipulated. He submitted to the court that the conversations between Dasgupta and Republic TV editor Arnab Goswami revealed their “proximity”, with the latter offering to mediate with the political leadership on Dasgupta’s behalf. Hiray said this showed that Dasgupta was an “influential person” and if released on bail, now with the probe is still on, it could lead to tampering with evidence and witnesses.

Dasgupta’s lawyers had said his electronic devices have been seized and bank accounts freezed. Dasgupta had fallen unconscious in jail last week and his health condition could deteriorate if not released, they said.