TRP scam: Supreme Court refuses to hear plea of Republic TV, directs to go to Bombay HC

Oct. 15: On Thursday, a 3-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by justice DY Chandrachud declined to hear a plea by Republic TV challenging the Mumbai police investigation into the TRP scam. The apex court asked the channel to move the Bombay high court first before approaching Supreme Court. Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Republic TV has now withdrawn the plea from the top court.

“You have already filed petition in high court. Entertaining this petition without high court sends message that we don’t have faith in high courts. Like any other citizens faces predicament of probe under Cr.P.C (Criminal Procedure Code) must go to high court,” court said.

In an advance petition filed in the Supreme Court late last night, the Mumbai Police said that Republic TV is abusing the process of law by conducting programmes in the case and “intimidating the witnesses”. Republic TV is among three channels that are being investigated by the Mumbai Police for allegedly manipulating ratings to get high advertising rates.