Partho Dasgupta

Key Points

• Identity: Partho Dasgupta, former CEO of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), implicated in the 2020 TRP manipulation scam in India.

• Allegations: Accused of manipulating television ratings to favor Republic TV, allegedly in collusion with its editor-in-chief, Arnab Goswami, with WhatsApp chats revealing potential misuse of sensitive information.

• Legal Status: Arrested in December 2020, denied bail initially, but granted bail by the Bombay High Court in March 2021. Mumbai Police filed a 3,000+ page chargesheet.

• Concerns: Allegations of compromising national security by using sensitive information for TRP gains, alongside attempts to destabilize the Maharashtra government.

• Current Status: No recent updates post-2021 on legal outcomes or ongoing investigations; Dasgupta’s public profile remains low.

Overview

Partho Dasgupta served as the CEO of the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), India’s primary television audience measurement agency, responsible for generating TRP data that influences advertising revenue and media strategies. His tenure at BARC placed him in a pivotal role within the media industry, overseeing metrics that determine the popularity and financial viability of television channels. In 2020, Dasgupta became a central figure in the TRP scam, a high-profile case investigated by the Mumbai Police, which alleged manipulation of TRP data to artificially inflate viewership numbers for specific channels, notably Republic TV. The scandal drew significant media attention due to its implications for media integrity, political influence, and potential national security breaches.

Allegations and Concerns

• TRP Manipulation: Mumbai Police alleged that Dasgupta, in collusion with Republic TV’s editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami, manipulated TRP data to boost the channel’s ratings. This involved allegedly bribing households with BARC meters to watch specific channels.

• National Security Concerns: WhatsApp chats between Dasgupta and Goswami, part of a 500-page annex in the chargesheet, suggested Goswami had advance knowledge of the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, raising concerns that sensitive national security information was used to boost TRP ratings. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into these chats.

• Political Manipulation: The NCP accused Dasgupta and Goswami of attempting to destabilize the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government by giving communal angles to incidents like the Palghar lynching and sensationalizing the Sushant Singh Rajput case.

• Health and Detention Issues: During his detention, Dasgupta was admitted to the ICU at JJ Hospital in Mumbai in January 2021 after falling unconscious in Taloja Jail, raising concerns about his medical treatment. His lawyers argued that jail authorities delayed informing his family.

Customer Feedback

As Partho Dasgupta is an individual and former executive, not a business entity, there are no direct consumer reviews or feedback platforms like those for companies. Public sentiment, primarily from X posts and media reports, reflects polarized views:

• Negative Sentiment: X posts from 2020-2021, including from @LiveLawIndia and @ANI, highlight Dasgupta’s arrest and bail denials, portraying him as a key figure in a major scandal. Media outlets like Mumbai Mirror and The Financial Express emphasized the severity of the allegations, with terms like “shocking” and “disturbing” used to describe the WhatsApp chats.

  • Example Quote: “The Mumbai police has recently exposed the chats between Arnab Goswami and Partho Dasgupta. It is extremely shocking and disturbing to know how issues related to national security have been used to gain TRP.” – NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase.

• Neutral/Defensive Sentiment: Dasgupta’s legal team argued in court that the WhatsApp chats were “political” and not indicative of criminal breach of trust or cheating. This suggests an attempt to downplay the severity of the allegations.

• Limited Positive Feedback: No public endorsements or positive reviews of Dasgupta’s tenure at BARC were found in the context of the scandal, likely due to the overshadowing allegations.

Risk Considerations

• Reputational Risk: Dasgupta’s association with the TRP scam has severely damaged his professional reputation, making future leadership roles in media or related industries unlikely without significant rehabilitation.

• Legal Risk: Ongoing investigations or potential new charges could lead to further legal consequences, especially if additional evidence emerges from the Mumbai Police probe or JPC inquiry (if initiated).

• Financial Risk: Legal battles and potential fines or restitution could strain Dasgupta’s personal finances. His detention and health issues may have also impacted his earning capacity.

• Industry Impact: The scandal has broader implications for BARC’s credibility and the Indian media industry, potentially affecting Dasgupta’s legacy as a former executive.

Business Relations and Associations

• Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC): As former CEO, Dasgupta was a key decision-maker, but his actions allegedly undermined BARC’s integrity. No current association with BARC exists post-scandal.

• Arnab Goswami/Republic TV: The WhatsApp chats indicate a close professional relationship with Goswami, described by Mumbai Police as evidence of collusion. Goswami was labeled the “mastermind” by some police claims, though Dasgupta was also called a “mastermind” in court rulings.

• Mumbai Police: The investigating authority, which filed a 3,000+ page chargesheet and opposed Dasgupta’s bail, citing his influence and potential to tamper with evidence.

• Political Entities: The NCP and Congress parties leveraged the scandal to criticize Republic TV and the central government, indicating Dasgupta’s case became a political flashpoint.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Arrest and Charges: Dasgupta was arrested on December 24, 2020, in Pune by the Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch and remanded to police custody until December 28, 2020. He was later sent to 14 days’ judicial custody on December 30, 2020.

• Bail Proceedings: His initial bail plea was rejected by the Mumbai Sessions Court in January 2021, citing the nascent stage of the investigation and his influence. The Bombay High Court granted bail on March 2, 2021.

• Chargesheet: Mumbai Police submitted a chargesheet exceeding 3,000 pages, with over 500 pages of WhatsApp chats between Dasgupta and Goswami, forming a core part of the evidence.

• Health-Related Legal Issues: Dasgupta’s medical emergency in jail led to court directives ensuring proper treatment, highlighting potential human rights concerns during his detention.

• No Bankruptcy or Debt Records: No public records indicate personal bankruptcy or unpaid debts, though legal costs may have been significant.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

Analytical Summary: Partho Dasgupta’s involvement in the TRP scam represents a significant case of media manipulation with far-reaching implications for India’s television industry and public trust in media metrics. The allegations, supported by extensive WhatsApp chats, suggest a deliberate effort to skew TRP data, potentially for financial and political gain. The national security angle, though not fully substantiated, elevates the case’s gravity, warranting scrutiny of how sensitive information was handled. Dasgupta’s arrest, detention, and eventual bail reflect a robust legal response, but the lack of updates post-2021 leaves the case’s resolution unclear. The polarized public sentiment—condemnation from political opponents versus defensive legal arguments—underscores the case’s complexity.

Pros:

• Dasgupta’s experience as BARC CEO indicates deep industry knowledge, which could be leveraged in non-public roles.

• Legal resolution (bail granted) suggests no immediate incarceration risk.

Cons:

• Severe reputational damage limits professional prospects.

• Allegations of national security breaches and political manipulation carry long-term stigma.

• Ongoing investigations could resurface, posing legal risks.

Cautionary Advice: Stakeholders, including potential employers or partners, should approach any association with Dasgupta cautiously. Verify the status of legal proceedings and consider the reputational fallout from the TRP scam. For individuals or entities in the media industry, engaging with Dasgupta could invite scrutiny or public backlash. Monitor any developments in the TRP case, particularly if a JPC probe is initiated, as it could reveal new evidence or consequences.

Key Citations

• Web Sources:

  • Mumbai Mirror on NCP’s JPC demand:

  • The Financial Express on Congress’s probe call:

  • The Indian Express on Dasgupta’s bail hearing:

  • JAGSoM faculty profile (for alternate Partho Dasgupta):

• X Posts:

  • @ANI on arrest and bail:

  • @LiveLawIndia on custody and bail hearing:

  • @barandbench on court’s bail rejection rationale: