In a rejoinder affidavit filed in the Mumbai High Court, Republic TV owners ARG Outlier Media Pvt. Ltd. has alleged that the investigation carried out by Mumbai Police in the TRP Scam case is guided by unparalleled political vendetta and a malicious witch hunt.
The rejoinder also alleges that the investigation is acting with malice to implicate the channel.
The affidavit was filed in response to the Mumbai Police's earlier statement that there was clear evidence of collusion between major channels (including Republic) and BARC officials to manipulate Television Rating Points for their benefit.
Challenging the use of the term "suspect" in the charge-sheet filed by the police, ARG argued that the investigation officers were "functioning with a preconceived notion" and that there were no charges filed against those described as "suspects". This was "unprecedented and illegal", the lawyers for ARG submitted.
The affidavit also mentions allegations of physical and emotional harassment perpetrated by the police against Republic TV officials like Ghanshyam Singh. This was also linked to Hansa Group's petition to move investigations under the CBI alleging harassment of officials by Mumbai Police API Sachin Vaze.
ARG also questioned the Mumbai Police jurisdiction in the case as it fell under ambit of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
So far only two Republic TV officials have been named in the charge-sheet, including Republic TV CEO Vikas Khanchandani.