'Suspicious transaction' between Hansa, Republic TV under SIT scanner

In a major twist in the TRP scam the Special Investigation Team SIT of the Mumbai Crime Branch is now investigating a suspicious monetary transaction between Hansa Vision India Pvt Ltd the complainant in the case and Republic TV which has been accused of buying Television Rating Points TRP Meanwhile top investors of the channel have been summoned for questioning due to suspicion about the investmentAssistant Police Inspector Sachin Vaze who is part of the SIT said they have received a preliminary forensic audit report that shows a suspicious transaction of Rs 32 lakh between Hansa group and Republic TVThe monetary transaction between Republic TV and the Hansa group is very crucial for the investigation said a senior Crime Branch officerSome of the TRP scam accused leave the Esplanade court at Azad Maidan after a hearing on October 26 PicSuresh KarkeraRepublic Chief Financial Officer Shiva Subramaniyam Sundaram has confirmed to the SIT about the transaction which is there in the bank statements of Republic TV The officers have asked Republic TV to submit the details of the transaction However Hansa groups director Narsihan Krishna Swami alias Shekhar who was questioned by the SIT has denied any monetary transactionOver the past two days Crime Branch teams conducted raids on top investors of Republic TV in Kolkata West Bengal and Rajkot Gujarat as the forensic audit suggested suspicious investment in the channel Suspicion has been raised on five companies of Republic investors in Kolkata and Rajkot Summons have been issued to their owners and directors to appear before the investigating officer on October 30 an officer saidThe officer said they suspect a possibility of money laundering in the caseMeanwhile Umesh Mishra one of the accused in the TRP scam got bail after he agreed to become a witness in the case said an officer The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court while granting bail to Mishra said The investigating officer did not object to his bail application It is the contention of the prosecution that the accused Umesh is ready to become the witnessA key accused Abhishek Kolawade who surrendered before the SIT has been sent to police custody for two days The SIT have recovered several call recordings of Kolawade and other accused where he can be heard explaining them how to visit households having barometers and pay them to watch specific news channelsThe Crime Branch for the first time one record said that they have found no evidence against the India Today Group which was initially named in the FIRNo payment to Republic TV from Hansa Research or vice versaHansa Research categorically stated that it has had no business dealings with Republic TV and no payment has been made to the channel nor received from the channel In a statement the Crime Branch spokesperson investigating the TRP scam has alleged that Hansa Research has made payment of Rs 32 lakh to Republic TV which is incorrectClarifying further Shekar Swamy Group CEO Hansa said Our Group company Hansa Vision India Pvt Ltd is in the advertising business It purchases advertising time and space in various TV channels newspapers radio digital platforms and other media regularly for its clients This is normal routine business The last time Hansa Vision has purchased advertising time in Republic TV was two years ago for the period from September 2017 to October 2018 for a value of Rs 108 lakh The Mumbai Police is perhaps incorrectly linking this with the current TRP related investigationIn the past two years as part of its business Hansa Vision has purchased TV advertising time from 55 TV channels for a total value of Rs 1342 crore on behalf of its clients In 2019 and 2020 Hansa Vision has not bought any advertising time from Republic TVShekar Swamy further added The Hansa Research CEO and team have been repeatedly called by API Mr Sachin Vaze of the Crime Branch and asked to stay till late hours They are cooperating with the investigation and have submitted various documents as asked for Hansa Research and the people working for this company have nothing to do with the advertising activities of the group company Hansa VisionKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest news