What's the Buzz about TRP? (TRP SCAM-2)

Case Brief :

We all know about recent headline probably appeared on all media "Republic TV among the three channels allegedly Gaming Ratings".

What actually happened ?

Facts of the case:

Mumbai police commissioner Paran Bir Singh told reporters that certain households were asked to keep these channels switched on entire day.Singh said, whether everyone watching it or not but they were promised of pay 400-500 INR per month."Illiterate homes were asked to keep English channels switched on". TRP ratings were being bought. The manipulation was mainly for advertising revenues.

The police arrested a former employee and his associate of Hansa Research on charges of Cheating and Criminal Breach of Trust. The police found 20 lakhs INR from his bank account and 8.5 lakh INR from his locker which Singh said "was to be paid to people to keep particular channels on".

Legal Aspect:

Let us have a look at the section 420 and 409 of IPC

Section 420 of I.P.C. - Cheating and Dishonestly Inducing Delivery of Property-

Whoever cheats and thereby dishonestly induces the person deceived to deliver any property to any person, or to make, alter or destroy the whole or any part of a valuable security, or anything which is signed or sealed, and which is capable of being converted into a valuable security, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

The offence under this section is cognizable, non-bailable, compoundable with permission of the court before which any prosecution of such offences pending and triable by Magistrate of the first class.

Section 409 of I.P.C - Criminal Breach of Trust by Public Servant, or by Banker, Merchant or Agent-

Whoever, being in any manner entrusted with property, or with any dominion over property in his capacity of public servant or in the way of his business as a banker, merchant, factor, broker, attorney or agent, commits criminal breach of trust in respect of that property, shall be punished with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years and shall also be liable to fine.

The offence under this section is cognizable, non-bailable, non-compoundable and triable by Magistrate of first class.

Conclusion:

Though law prescribes such punishments, scams like this repeatedly happen. The wrongdoers always think "I am too smart to be caught." But no one can escape from the consequences of wrongdoings.

But we being responsible citizens of this country, should remember "Whoever controls the media, controls the mind."