KOLKATAT: The TRP rigging tale has developed a new twist with BARC India expressing disappointment over Republic Network’s action in in making public,  private and confidential communications between the agency and the newscaster and misrepresenting the same. Earlier in the day, Republic Media had  come out with a statement claiming that the TV measurement body has no complaints against it.

“BARC India reiterates that it has not commented on the ongoing investigation and without prejudice to BARC India’s rights, it expresses its dismay at the actions of the Republic Network,” the ratings body has said in a release issued a short while ago.

The news network had in its statement issued a few years back revealed that Republic CEO Vikas Khanchandani has in his possession an official email from BARC in which it has said “there is not a single complaint or malpractice found against Republic TV, Republic Bharat or any other affiliate of the news network.”

Republic had crowed  that the email “crumbles the pack of lies floated and repeated over the last nine days by Param Bir Singh and a section of the media.”

According to Republic Media, it received an email from BARC India on 17 October 2020, in which the agency stated that: “If there was any disciplinary action initiated under the said code against M/s ARG Outlier Media Private Ltd., then BARC India would have communicated the same to you along with necessary documents for your response.”

In response to the network’s claim, BARC has not only voiced its discontent with the statement but also reiterated that it is providing necessary assistance to the law enforcement agency, namely the Mumbai Police.