TRP scam case: DISMISSED! Supreme Court asks Republic Media Group to approach Bombay High Court

In a major development, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Republic Media Group to approach the Bombay High Court in the Television Rating Points (TRP) scam case registered by the Mumbai Police. A bench comprising Justice D Y Chandrachud, Indu Malhotra and Indira Banerjee said the high court has been working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the media group should approach it as its office is located at Worli.

The apex court commented, "Like any other citizen who faces the predicament of an investigation under the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973, the petitioner will have to take recourse to the remedies which are available under the appropriate provisions of law. Hence, the petition under Article 32 of the Constitution is not entertained."

The order also stated, "Mr Harish N Salve, learned senior counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner seeks the permission of the Court to withdraw the petition with liberty to move the Bombay High Court."

"The Writ Petition is dismissed as withdrawn with the liberty as sought," the top court added in its comments.

Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the media house, expressed apprehensions about the ongoing probe. 

The Mumbai police has registered a case in the TRP scam and summoned Republic TV's chief financial officer S Sundaram for investigation.

The police have already arrested owners of channels Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema in the case.

The plea in the apex court was filed by Arg Outlier Media Private Limited which owns the Republic Media network.