Mumbai, 25/1 (AO Bureau): In a shocking development , the former CEO of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India, Partho Dasgupta has claimed that he was given $12,000 and a total of 40 lakh rupees over a period of three years to manipulate ratings in favour of Republic Tv. Reportedly Arnab Goswami is the Editor-in-Chief of the channel.
The handwritten statement by Partho Dasgupta in the supplementary charge sheet filed by the Mumbai Police in the TRP scam case reads that Arnab had bribed Partho of Rs 40 lakh over three years to manipulate tv ratings in favor of his news channel.
“I have known Arnab Goswami since 2004. We used to work together in Times Now. I joined BARC as CEO in 2013. Arnab Goswami launched Republic in 2017. Even before launching Republic TV, he would talk to me about plans for the launch and indirectly hint at helping him to get good ratings to his channel. Goswami knew very well that I know how the TRP system works. He also alluded to helping me out in the future,” the statement reads.
“I worked with my team to ensure manipulation of TRP ratings that made Republic TV get to number 1 rating. This would have continued from 2017 to 2019. Towards this, in 2017 Arnab Goswami had personally met me at St Regis hotel, Lower Parel, and given me 6000 dollars cash for my France and Switzerland family trip…also in 2019 Arnab Goswami had personally met me at St Regis and given me 6000 dollars for my Sweden and Denmark family trip. Also in 2017, Goswami had personally met me at ITC Parel hotel and given me Rs 20 lakh cash… also in 2018 and 2019… Goswami met me at ITC hotel Parel and gave me Rs 10 lakhs each time…” it added.