MUMBAI: Clearly, the Mumbai police believe they have got their man and have managed to extend Partho Dasgupta’s custody till 30 December. The police has alleged that Dasgupta – a former BARC CEO was the mastermind of the TRP scam - connived with his then COO Romil Ramgarhia and Republic founder and promoter Arnab Goswami to depress the ratings of the older English news channel and pump up the ratings of the news anchor’s channel Republic TV.

A Time of India report said that the police have stated  that Partho (as he is known in the fraternity)  got lakhs of rupees for his legerdemain of boosting Republic TV viewership. The Mumbai police's Crime Branch, in its remand note submitted before a magistrate's court here, sought further custody of Dasgupta, claiming he was the "mastermind" of the alleged TRP scam.

The remand note further states that Partho “misused his official position and manipulated TRP of specific news channels broadcast by ARG Outlier Media Pvt Ltd such as Republic Bharat Hindi and Republic TV English," the police alleged in its remand note. "Dasgupta, while serving as CEO got involved in the conspiracy along with Arnab Goswami and others for manipulation of TRP.”

Even as his incarceration continues, one can’t forget that  the advertising fraternity, only recently elected Dasgupta as president of the Advertising Club, Mumbai.