[TRP Scam] Mumbai Police has no jurisdiction to investigate: Harish Salve argues for Republic TV in Bombay High Court

The Mumbai Police has no jurisdiction to investigate Republic TV employees in the TRP scam case contended Senior Advocate Harish Salve today in Bombay High Court, while appearing for the channel's parent company, ARG Outlier..Salve argued that since allegations pertain to a violation of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India rules, the State police did not have jurisdiction in the matter. .The matter was taken up by a Bench of Justices SS Shinde and Manish Pitale today. .[TRP Scam case] Bombay High Court hears Republic TV plea against Mumbai Police probe: LIVE UPDATES.ARG Outlier had moved the High Court challenging FIR no. 143 of 2020 and the consequent chargesheet filed by the Mumbai police in relation to an alleged fake Television Rating Points (TRP) scam. ."Mumbai Police has no jurisdiction to investigate in the issue of violation of TRAI rules" Salve contended for Republic TV today..He added the Mumbai Police probe had a second angle pertaining to statements made by Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) employees, which Salve asserted was allegedly being used to somehow implicate employees of the Republic channels.."The idea is to find something. Then we hear some nonsensical story that we have paid to somebody. None of these remotely make an offence," he said..In order to substantiate his claim, Salve suggested that the Court should look into the report filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which became involved in the TRP Scam investigation after a Lucknow court order.."If their (ED's) report matches the Mumbai Police report. then my case gets diluted, I go to trial. No issues. But if the reports do not match then the police is acting in malice. The report is important." Salve argued..Salve proceeded to point out averments from Republic TV's petition to further his case on the alleged malafides of the Mumbai Police..However, there was some confusion regarding the amendments carried out in the Court copies of the plea. .Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, arguing for the State, opposed involving the ED in the hearing. He submitted that ED had no locus to appear at this stage as the Court had not issued notice to them yet..He added that if Republic TV was going to stress on the jurisdictional aspect, the State would want to file a detailed reply..To this, Salve suggested that all pleadings be filed and served in the next week, so that the Court can hear the matter on merits finally next Friday..Court agreed to this suggestion and, with consent from all counsel, fixed the matter for final hearing on merits on January 29, 2021..Before adjourning the matter, the Court also took on record a status report on the investigation in the TRP scam case filed by the Mumbai Police. It further recorded Sibal's statement that earlier protection from coercive action granted to the Republic TV employees would continue.