NEW DELHI: In the latest development in the TRP manipulation scam, Hansa Research has denied the charges of making a payment of Rs 32 lakh to Republic TV, levelled against it by the Crime Branch spokesperson.

The agency has categorically stated that there have been no business dealings with Republic TV and no payment has been made to the channel nor received from it.

Hansa group CEO Shekar Swamy said, “Our group company Hansa Vision India Pvt Ltd is in the advertising business. It purchases advertising time and space in various TV channels, newspapers, radio, digital platforms and other media regularly for its clients. This is normal, routine business. The last time Hansa Vision has purchased advertising time in Republic TV was two years ago for the period from September 2017 to October 2018 for a value of Rs 108 lakh. The Mumbai police is perhaps incorrectly linking this with the current TRP related investigation.”

In the past two years, as part of its business, Hansa Vision has purchased TV advertising time from 55 TV channels for a total value of Rs 13.42 crore on behalf of its clients. In 2019 and 2020, Hansa Vision has not bought any advertising time from Republic TV, it said in a press release.

Swamy added, “The Hansa Research CEO and team have been repeatedly called by API Mr Sachin Vaze of the Crime Branch, and asked to stay till late hours. They are cooperating with the investigation and have submitted various documents as asked for. Hansa Research and the people working for this company, have nothing to do with the advertising activities of the group company Hansa Vision.”    

The statement follows after several media outlets reported, citing sources, that the Mumbai police had found a payment of Rs 32 lakh to Republic TV made by Hansa Research. Earlier in the day, Republic TV dismissed the media reports as completely fake.