NEW DELHI: One of the prime accused in the alleged TRP manipulation scam, former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta, in a written statement has admitted to getting money from Arnab Goswami in return for rigging the TRPs to make Republic Network lead the charts, Indian Express reported. He claimed that Goswami had paid him in cash for two separate family holidays and otherwise as well. 

The statement reads: “I have known Arnab Goswami since 2004. We used to work together in Times Now. I joined BARC as CEO in 2013. Arnab Goswami launched Republic in 2017. Even before launching Republic TV he would talk to me about plans for the launch and indirectly hint at helping him to get good ratings to his channel. Goswami knew very well that I know how the TRP system works. He also alluded to helping me out in the future.”

It continues, “I worked with my team to ensure manipulation of TRP ratings that made Republic TV get number one rating. This would have continued from 2017 to 2019. Towards this, in 2017 Arnab Goswami had personally met me at St Regis hotel, Lower Parel and given me 6000 dollars cash for my France and Switzerland family trip…also in 2019 Arnab Goswami had personally met me at St Regis and given me 6000 dollars for my Sweden and Denmark family trip. Also in 2017, Goswami had personally met me at ITC Parel hotel and given me Rs 20 lakh cash; also in 2018 and 2019; Goswami met me at ITC hotel Parel and gave me Rs 10 lakhs each time.”

However, Dasgupta’s lawyer has denied the allegations and claimed that the “statement would have been recorded under duress.” He added that it does not have any evidentiary value in the court of law.

Earlier, WhatsApp chats between Dasgupta and Goswami had also surfaced, indicating at their close relationship. 

It must be noted that Dasgupta has been in judicial custody since the beginning of the year for his alleged involvement in the TRP scam that was busted on 8 October 2020 by Mumbai Police.