In what has raised a furore in media and people supporting Republic World, the Mumbai police has arrested Republic CEO Vikas Khanchandani in fake TV ratings scam.
Republic head honcho Arnab Goswami has been live on his channel questioning the arrest and asking how the Mumbai police could arrest Vikas Khanchandani without papers. Vikas Khanchandani is the 13th person to be arrested from the organisation regarding the case.
The arrest of the top executive comes after Supreme Court of India turned down a plea by ARG Outlier Media Private Limited, which owns Republic Media Network, to protect its employees and its group. Republic Media and the Mumbai police have been involved in a face-off ever since the investigation began when an FIR was filed following a complaint by Nitin Deokar of Hansa Research.
A few days back, Ghanshyam Singh, Republic’s head of distribution, was also named in the 1400 chargesheet. Out of the 13, two of Republic’s employees hinted that they will turn approvers. However, the court is yet to take a decision on the offer.
Republic TV has been claiming that it had the highest TV ratings and this was questioned by Nitin Deokar, an official of Hansa Research that placed the ratings meters. In his complaint, Deokar had stated that the ratings were being manipulated. After initial investigations, it was found out that Republic TV was influencing the households by bribing them, so the channel can rake in high advertising revenues.
Vikas Khanchandani who has been arrested at around 8.30 am today morning has been presented before the court.
Meanwhile, Arnab Goswami has been trying to garner public support through his channel and has been constantly harping on the point that Vikas Khanchandani has been illegally abducted without papers. The issue is trending with #FreeRepublicCEONow.