In a massive development, sources report that Mumbai Police has confirmed that Indian news network India Today has indeed been named in its FIR alleging TRP scam. This development comes after Republic TV revealed that contrary to Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh's allegations of it naming Republic TV, arrested Relationship manr of Hansa Research Group Private Limite - Vishal Bhandari - has named India Today and or channels on allegedly 'increasing ratings'. Mumbai police has arrested two people in connection with this case, stated Param Bir Singh. 

ACCESSED: India Today named in FIR Mumbai CP used to claim TRP scam, t Republic TV

Republic accesses FIR

On accessing FIR, recorded statements of two employees of Hansa- which is responsible for installing and maintaining Bar-O-Meter of Brocast Audience Research Council (BARC) - Dy General Manr Nitin Deokar and Relationship Manr Vishal shed light to startling revelations.  Bhandari has revealed that India Today and or channels instigated him and offered money to panel homes, where Bar-O-Meter is installed. As per complainant, some persons try to increase ratings by making panel homes watch certain channels against payment of money. He ded that a manipulative TRP rating causes several vertisers to part with a huge sum of money to undeserving channels.

Moreover, Deokar revealed that a person named Vinay asked Bhandari in vember 2019 to approach 5 homes and ask m to watch India Today daily for two hours. As per Bhandari’s own confession to BARC Vigilance team, Vinay paid him Rs.5000 as commission for distributing Rs.1000 among 5 panel homes. An audit inquiry by BARC confirmed that 5 households were indeed bribed to watch India Today daily for minimum two hours from vember 2019 to May 2020.

BJP's JP Nda & I&B Minister Prakash Javekar slam Congress' attempts to stifle Republic

Arnab issues statement

Responding to false allegations me against Republic TV by Mumbai police Commissioner Parambir Singh, Republic Media Network's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami issued a statement.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: India's tally crosses 68 lakhs; ar Union Min tests positive

WATCH: Arnab Goswami exposes Mumbai police's false allegations against Republic TV