The fight between Republic TV chief Arnab Goswami and the current Maharashtra government is taking a dramatic turn as Republic TV has officially filed a defamation suit against the current Commissioner of Mumbai Police, Param Bir Singh, and has also sought compensation of Rs 200 crore from Param Bir Singh when the charges are proved.
At the behest of his masters in the Maharashtra government, Param Bir Singh has picked up a fight with Arnab Goswami which he simply cannot win.
As if hounding and vilifying Arnab wasn’t enough for his coverage on the Palghar lynchings case as he dared to question Antonio Maino who better known as Sonia Gandhi, Param Bir Singh conducted a press conference where he indulged in spreading white lies against Republic TV as he fabricated a TRP scam where he falsely claimed that he had received complaints that the media network was involved in TRP malpractice and inflated its ratings through wrong means. However, the official rating agency BARC, in a mail to Republic, clearly stated that there is not a single complaint or malpractice found against Republic TV, Republic Bharat or any other affiliate of the Republic Media Network.
This has led to Arnab Goswami and Republic suing Param Bir Singh for a sum of Rs. 200 crores after Maharashtra government and Mumbai Police admitted in court that Republic Media Network is not named in the TRP case FIR.
News Release: Arnab & Republic to sue Param Bir Singh for Rs. 200 cr, as Maharashtra Govt and Mumbai Police admit in court that Network is not named in the TRP case FIR. pic.twitter.com/iNSoasmyaa
— Republic (@republic) October 19, 2020
The worst possible scenario for a loyal servant is when his master disowns him and that’s exactly what has happened with Param Bir Singh. The Maharashtra government in an apparent move to wash their hands off Param Bir Singh’s presser against Republic TV admitted in Court that the Republic Media Network is not named in the TRP case FIR, thereby, gravely implicating Singh. The Court in an indirect reference to Singh’s Press Conference showed its disdain over public servants indulging in press interviews.
In a recent sting operation by Republic TV, the latter unearthed how Uddhav and his minions have formed a team to ensure that Republic is forced to down is shutters and throw Arnab Goswami behind the bars.
In a blatant use of the state machinery, the stung Congress leader claimed that the intelligence agencies might be used to “find that person’s weakness.” He further revealed that the Mumbai Commissioner of Police, Param Bir Singh is tasked to first probe the findings of the team constituted to finish off Republic with more issues like “TRP scam” in the coming days.
The fact that Mumbai Police in apparent disregard to Bombay HC’s orders also illegally detained Pradeep Bhandari and continues to summon the top brass of Republic for “questioning” over a range of issues will likely not go down well the honourable judges.
This is nothing but a planned scheme of publicly hounding Republic and Arnab Goswami. The latter armed with proof of innocence is in no mood to let go either Param Bir Singh or his master, Uddhav Thackeray. As Arnab knocks the door of the judiciary, the Maharashtra government is already attempting to wash its hands off Param Bir Singh. It is likely that Param Bir Singh will end up as the sacrificial lamb to save Uddhav Thackeray.