TRP scam: Approver retracts statement, claims police harassment

In a setback to the case registered against the Television Rating Points scam by the Mumbai Police, a police approver has submitted an application in the Mumbai High Court citing that his statements were made under 'coercion' by the Enforcement Directorate which has filed a separate case in the matter.

The intervention application was filed by Umesh Mishra alongside Republic TV owner ARG Media Limited's petition to quash FIR's filed by the Mumbai Police. Mishra's application states that his original statement has not been taken and that the one submitted before the magistrate was made under duress and threats by the police. He has also requested that he be heard before the hearing of the plea by ARG Media.

This new blow to the Mumbai Police's investigation comes after a plea filed by Hansa Research Group which alleged threatening and harassment by the Mumbai Police API Sachin Vaze. Hansa Group has also requested a transfer of the case to the CBI.

Umesh Mishra is a former member of Hansa Research Group and was arrested from Virar in October last year. He was accused of having paid households to manipulate TRP ratings. He had earlier agreed to turn approver in the TRP scam case which implicated major news channels such as Republic TV and India Today.