The division bench of Justice S S Shinde and M S Karnik told Mumbai police that if it wishes to question Republic TV Editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami then it should first issue summons to him in TRP case. And if summons are issued then Goswami should appear and cooperate with police in investigation. Bench told Mumbai police to submit its investigation papers by November 4.
The petition was filed by ARG Media Pvt Ltd, which runs Republic TV for quashing FIR filed by Mumbai Police and summons to its senior officials. Petitioner stated that “the Mumbai police, including Mumbai Police commissioner Param Bir Singh, harbour malice and ill feelings against the petitioners as Republic TV and R. Bharat have lately been at the forefront in questioning the tardy investigation by the Mumbai police in the Sushant Singh Rajput case and the Palghar lynching incident. The FIR concerned is the result of a political conspiracy.”
Mumbai police had alleged three channels for rigging TRP ratings to enhance their advertisement revenue. They are: Republic TV, Box Cinema and Marathi channel Fakt Marathi.
Bombay HC agreed to start the final hearing in the case from November 5.
