TRP scam case closed: Special court dismisses ED money laundering allegation

A special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has dismissed the money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding the alleged manipulation of Television Rating Points (TRP) by several TV and news channels. TRPs, which measure the viewership of a programme during a specific time slot, are key indicators of a show's popularity and influence advertising revenue.

This development comes after the Mumbai police withdrew the case that triggered the ED’s money laundering investigation. Back in 2020, the Mumbai police claimed they had uncovered a scheme where certain TV channels were manipulating TRP ratings to boost advertising revenue.

However, by 2023, the Mumbai police informed a magistrate court of their decision to drop the case entirely

Back in October 2020, when it all started, according to the Mumbai police, families, including those in slum areas, were paid Rs 400 to Rs 500 per month to keep specific channels turned on in an attempt to manipulate TRP ratings. BARC had outsourced the installation of 1,800 barometers in Mumbai to monitor TRP to a firm called Hansa Research. It was Hansa Research that later filed a police complaint against certain ex-employees, accusing them of misusing data related to households where these TRP monitoring systems had been installed.

After initial probes the police released a statement saying, “One of the arrested persons and some of the wanted accused persons were employees of Hansa Research Group Pvt Ltd and they have misused the confidential data which had been entrusted to them. It has apparently been done for wrongful gains of various TV channels, which had resulted in wrongful loss to various advertisers and their agencies.”

The statement also said, “Preliminary investigations also revealed that these accused persons have manipulated the sampling metering services by inducing the barometer users by paying them periodically to watch a particular TV channel / s.  Many of the people in whose homes these barometers have been installed have accepted that they have benefited monetarily for keeping their TV sets on even if they actually didn't watch it.”

Praveen Nijhara, CEO, Hansa Research, said, “Hansa Research and BARC conducted an investigation into the matter over the last few weeks, the conclusion of which resulted in Hansa Research filing an FIR against an ex-employee who was engaged in some wrongdoing. Hansa Research has always been vigilant about these issues and has been proactive in informing BARC and the law enforcement agencies as and when such cases have come to our notice. We would continue to cooperate with BARC and with the authorities as and when called upon to do so.”

Soon after the Mumbai police chief’s press meet Republic TV had also issued a statement saying:

“Mumbai Police Commissioner PB Singh has made false allegations against Republic TV because we have questioned him in the Sushant Singh Rajput investigation. Republic TV will file a criminal defamation case against Mumbai Police Commissioner PB Singh; there is not a single BARC report that mentions Republic TV. The people of India know the truth. Mr PB Singh’s investigation in the Sushant Singh Rajput case is under a cloud and this is a desperate measure because of Republic TV reportage on Palghar, the Sushant Singh Rajput case or any other case. This kind of targeting only strengthens the resolve of everyone at Republic TV to push for the truth even harder. PB Singh stands completely exposed today since BARC has not mentioned Republic in any single complaint. He should issue an official apology and get ready to face us in court. – Arnab Goswami”

Meanwhile, BARC also had also issued a statement that said, "As in all our previous cases of suspected panel homes intrusions, BARC India continues to follow its established vigilance and disciplinary guidelines. BARC remains steadfastly true to its purpose to accurately and faithfully report ‘What India Watches’. BARC India appreciates the efforts of the Mumbai Police and will provide the support asked of it.”

The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) suspended news channel ratings in October 2020 following accusations that certain broadcasters, including Republic TV, were manipulating the ratings system. This suspension lasted for 18 months, during which ratings for news channels were halted. It was only after intervention from the government that BARC resumed ratings in March 2022.