Hansa, Republic respond to accusations of illegal payments

Hansa Research and Republic TV have issued statements to clear charges about illegal payments between the duo.  

 

According to Hansa Research's statement there have been no business dealings with Republic TV and no payment has been made to the channel nor received from the channel. 

 

The Crime Branch is currently investigating the TRP scam case. Some media outlets have claimed that a Crime Branch spokesperson has stated that they are monitoring a Rs 32 lakh payment made from Hansa Research to Republic tV.

 

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

 

Shekar Swamy, group CEO, Hansa, said, “Our group company Hansa Vision India 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 Sept 2017 to Oct 2018 for a value of Rs 108 lakhs. The Mumbai Police is perhaps incorrectly linking this with the current TRP related investigation.”

 

He 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 Republic TV's stance which called the media stories completely fake. It has asked Mid-Day and The Economic Times to issue a public corrigendum in the next 24 hours. According to a statement, if a corrigendum will not be issued, legal action will be taken. The channel has also asked the Mumbai Police to deny or confirm the story by 9pm today.