MUMBAI | Republic TV CEO Vikas Khanchandani was arrested on Sunday morning in connection with the investigation into the TRP scam and sent to police custody till 15 December. Officials gave this information. The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court issued a remand order, soon after, Republic TV insisted that the company challenge the decision in the Bombay High Court. Republic TV had alleged in the morning that the arrest was illegal.
Khanchandani was arrested by the Mumbai Police’s Special Investigation Team in the early hours of Sunday.
During the court hearing, the police sought 14 days of custody. The police said that the accused knew about the crime and the benefits it would bring.
However, Khanchandani’s lawyers argued in his favor that the police were lying behind the TV channel after coverage of the Palghar lynching case (April 2020). Despite this, the court sent Khanchandani into custody for two days.
Soon after Khanchandani’s arrest, Republic TV launched a campaign demanding his release.
“Republic TV issues a national appeal to the courts to intervene to prevent attacks on an independent news organization,” the channel said.
Last month, STI filed a 1,400-page chargesheet against 12 accused, including some senior Republic TV executives
