In what could spell fresh trouble for former Maharashtra home minister, Anil Deshmukh, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is now probing the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader’s alleged role in the television rating point (TRP) manipulation case, source privy to the development told ET.This after, the agency found that a payment of Rs 25 lakh was allegedly made by Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to dismissed Mumbai police officer, Sachin Vaze, for stopping harassment of its executives in the televion ratings points (TRP) case being probed by the city police.The disclosure, as per the sources cited, has been made by BARC officials in their statements to the federal agency. The CBI has also been able to find evidence of money trail and sources say investigation in the matter is at an advanced stage.“Somewhere in November when Vaze was heading the probe into the TRP matter, BARC agreed to pay the amount to stop the police harassment. The bribe was paid on the outskirts of Mumbai and collected by an officer part of Vaze’s team. He was asked to collect certain documents by Vaze. As directed he collected a bag. It was only later when Vaze opened the bag and took out the cash, he realised that certain payment was made,” said an official privy to the development.“While BARC officials have claimed so in their statements, the money trail is being studied and prima facie the allegation seemed to be true,” added the official. “The focus will be whether this was collected by Vaze on the behest of Deshmukh,” the official further added.The Enforcement Directorate (ED) which is probing a money laundering case in the said matter is said to be pursuing a theory that BARC routed the payment through certain shell companies by showing the ampount as cost incurred in a construction project.“Details of their probe have been sought from the ED,” said another official. Sources added that the CBI is likely to question Vaze who has been arrested by the NIA in the Antilla bomb hoax and Mansukh Hiren murder case again in the said matter on Deshmukh’s alleged role.“Once the chain is established, action against Deshmukh will be as per procedure including recording his statement,” added the official.BARC did not respond to the queries sent by ET. Deshmukh wasn’t immediately available for comment. The CBI is already probing Deshmukh in a Rs 100 crore corruption case.
from Economic Times https://ift.tt/3rE4sXP
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