[TRP Scam] We are not accused, but first informant: Hansa Research Group in rejoinder to Mumbai Police reply

In its rejoinder filed in the plea seeking transfer of the Television Rating Points scam (TRP scam) probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Hansa Research Group has stated that whatever success the Mumbai Police has achieved in unearthing the scam was because of the company's assistance..Hansa has submitted that it was cited as a witness in the primary chargesheet filed by the Mumbai Police, and that there was no evidence to call them suspects now.It has reiterated its contention that it was the first informant in the case, and not the accused..The rejoinder narrates how the services of a former employee from the company, Vishal Bhandare, were terminated. A complaint came to be filed for his offences and the present investigation is an outcome of that.."Whatever investigation or the so-called unearthing of fraud that has been done by the police it is petitioner (Hansa) who has to be given a small credit for setting the law in motion. Sadly the petitioners are facing all the unwarranted trauma...the allegedly arrested ex-employees have already left their services before their role was exposed by the police", the rejoinder states..Hansa's contention to the reply of Mumbai Police is that it is vague and has not responded on the specific allegations made by Hansa in its letter dated October 27, 2020 addressed to the State Home Secretary and other officials. This letter recorded all the facts, including the ill-treatment meted out by the Police, and more specifically, Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Vaze..The consumer insights company also claimed that it was misconstrued by the Police that Hansa is seeking immunity from enquiry and interrogation or are hesitant to appear before the Police to put forth their case. It has reiterated that the grievance is not against summons to the Crime Branch for interrogation, but against the harassment and intimidation that was meted out against the company's employees by police officers..Denying that the alleged financial interests and involvements were unknown to the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), Hansa has submitted that the disclosure about the same was also made to the Police through a written document. "In spite of this if the respondents (police) continue to make such allegations, it speaks volumes about their prejudice towards Hansa and in fact supports the case for transfer of investigation", the rejoinder states..Refuting the charges of involvement with ARG Outlier (parent company of Republic TV), Hansa claimed that such statement seemed to be a result of a figment of the Police's imagination which was made without any iota of evidence..The rejoinder also states that after several rounds of questioning and filing of chargesheets, there no longer seemed to be a requirement of Hansa Group to be further interrogated. .[Read rejoinder affidavit here]