Arnab Goswami

Republic TV founder Arnab Goswami will soon be questioned by police in a case of TRP fraud, Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh said.

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai on Thursday, Singh said the ratings of Republic Media’s Republic Bharat had shot up exponentially raising suspicions of a foul play.

Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), the body that gives rating points to TV channels in India, had earlier suspected Republic TV of manipulating the system.

The Mumbai Police Commissioner said BARC has submitted that Republic TV is a suspect in TRP manipulation.

Police received the data of these households from BARC, the rating agency.

“We suspect that if this was happening in Mumbai then it could be happening in other parts of the country as well,” Singh said.

“Promoters and directors of Republic TV will be summoned and questioned,” Commissioner Singh said.

Summons will be sent to Republic officials, including Editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami on Thursday and they will be asked to appear before the investigating team, he said.