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NATION JANUARY 15, 2021 | The Indian Eye 10

What arnab’s Whatsapp chat reveals

about his access to power

The conversations are part of Mumbai Police’s charge sheet in the case of alleged

manipulation of Television Rating Points (TRPs) by news channels

Our Bureau tral government took, even those
that were closely guarded. He
Mumbai/New Delhi seems to be aware of the Balakot

creenshots of purported airstrike and the revocation of
WhatsApp conversations Article 370 in advance, highlight-
Sbetween Republic TV’s ing his close connections with the
Arnab Goswami and the ar- upper echelons of government.
rested ex-CEO of TV ratings Although Dasgupta freely
agency BARC, Partho Dasgup- discusses a range of topics with
ta – which form part of Mumbai Goswami, he also seems con-
police’s 3,600-page supplemen- cerned about both his position at
tary chargesheet in the TRP BARC and later, about being im-
scam – made their way into the plicated in a criminal case. In one
public domain on Friday. Arnab Goswami has already been arrested in a suicide abeting case (ANI) instance, Dasgupta shares his
Among other things, they are anxiety over the possibility of his
suggestive of a bid by top BARC passport being impounded. The
executives to manipulate ratings chats annexed in the chargesheet
in favour of Republic TV and the also indicate that as soon as the
Hindi channel Republic Bharat. Mumbai police’s inquiry into the
The screenshots also show the scam began in October last year,
executives making suggestions their conversations came to a
to Republic TV on strategies to halt.
boost ratings. In another WhatsApp chat,
Goswami in return appears Dasgupta and another accused,
to have kept Dasgupta informed Ramgaria, discuss Malayalam
about government affairs, in- channel Janam TV. Ramgaria
cluding the workings of the infor- mentions about the phenome-
mation & broadcasting ministry, nal “100 percent growth” in the
cabinet reshuffle, appointment channel’s viewership in the week
of secretaries, and more. The TV editor seems to have information about government operations in when the controversy over the
The WhatsApp conversa- security areas, as per the alleged chats (ANI) Supreme Court’s decision to al-
tions are part of Mumbai Police’s low women to enter the Sabari-
charge sheet, submitted before In the purported chat, dat- words used.” mala temple was at its peak in
a court, in connection with the ed 23 February 2019, Goswami Some security experts said November 2018.
case of alleged manipulation of informed Dasgupta that “some- the purported conversations in- In the chat with Dasgupta,
Television Rating Points (TRPs) thing big will happen”. When dicated national security had Ramgaria says that the Kera-
by news channels, including Re- the latter asked if it was about been compromised. la-based Janam TV did well in
public TV and a few others. “Dawood”, Arnab explained, The WhatsApp chats – run- all 14 districts of the state, more
As per the alleged chats, “No sir Pakistan. Something ma- ning over 1000 pages – suggest so in those closer to the temple.
Arnab Goswami was apparently jor will be done this time.” complicity between the two and This, apparently was noticed
privy to the Modi government’s “It’s good for big man in are part of the 3400-page sup- by the PMO, Dasgupta claims
plan to launch an air strike on this season. He will sweep polls plementary chargesheet that in the chat, to which Ramgaria
Pakistan’s Balakot in retaliation then,” replied the then BARC the Mumbai police filed earli- claims that the channel has “RSS
for the Pulwama terror attack, chief, asking whether it will be “a er this week. The messages also funding”.
three days before the Indian strike” or “something bigger”. show Goswami’s proximity to the Besides the annexed
Air Force bombed the terrorist Goswami then responded, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) WhatsApp chats, the police have
camp on 26 February 2019. The “Bigger than a normal strike. and the information and broad- recorded statements of 59 wit-
purported conversations, among And also, on the same time, cast ministry, also suggesting that nesses, including 15 experts. The
other things, revealed that the something major on Kashmir. he misused this access. police have said that the investi-
Narendra Modi government had On Pakistan, the government The messages also suggest gation is still on and that another
planned the air strike “in a way” is confident of striking in a way that Goswami was in the know supplementary chargesheet will
that the people would be “elated”. that people will be elated. Exact about key decisions that the Cen- follow in the case.

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