By Muslim Mirror Staff

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a plea by Republic TV challenging the Mumbai Police probe into the alleged TRP scam. The court asked the news channel to move to the Bombay high court.

A bench comprising Justice DY Chandrachud, Indu Malhotra, and Indira Banerjee said the high court has been working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the media group should approach it as its office is located at Worli. “We are only saying approach the HC first,” Justice Malhotra said, reported Bar & Bench.

“You have already filed a petition in the high court. Entertaining this petition without a high court sends a message that we don’t have faith in high courts. Like any other citizens faces the predicament of probe under CrPC (Criminal Procedure Code) must go to the high court,” the apex court told the media company, reports LiveLaw.

During the hearing, the Mumbai Police opposed Republic TV’s petition, saying Article 19(1) (a) couldn’t be invoked to sidestep, thwart and prevent an investigation by competent authorities in the matter.

“Article 19(1)(a) cannot be invoked by the petitioners to sidestep, thwart and prevent any investigation by the competent investigating agency into alleged fudging of TRP ratings. The right under Article 19(1)(a) is not a shield which can be used against any a commission of a crime under the extant criminal law of the land,” it said.

However, while declining the plea, the SC said, “we are concerned that commissioners of police have started giving interviews” on cases.

Meanwhile, the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) today suspended its ratings for news channels for 3 months amid the Mumbai Police’s ongoing probe into the TRP scam.