Republic CEO arrested LIVE updates: Vikas Khanchandani granted bail by Mumbai court

Republic TV CEO Vikas Khanchandani has been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days by Metropolitan Magistrate court at Esplanade, Mumbai in the fake TRP scam.

A Mumbai court will hear the bail petition of Republic CEO Vikas Khanchandani at 11 am on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Magistrate court at Esplanade had remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days. 

Republic TV CEO Vikas Khanchandani has been granted bail by a Mumbai Court on Wednesday. 

BJP National Spokesperson Sambit Patra on Monday strongly condemned the arrest of Republic TV's CEO Vikas Khanchandani slamming the Maharashtra Government for 'openly disrespecting' the Supreme Court's views on the witch-hunt against Republic Media Network.

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Maharashtra Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to DCP Crime Branch, Mumbai Police and sought a detailed report justifying Republic Media Network's CEO Vikas Khanchandani's arrest

Top members of India's largest broadcasters body News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) on Monday sought a public statement from Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) in the fake TRP case, a day after Mumbai Police arrested Republic Media Network CEO Vikas Khanchandani in continuance of a shocking witch-hunt. Speaking to Republic Media Network's Executive Editor Niranjan Narayanswamy, Sanjive Naraine, CEO of Prag News & VP of NBF, Anil Singh, CFO of TV5 and Sreekandan Nair, MD of Flowers TV, collectively demanded that BARC should come forward and break its silence on the matter since it is not private anymore. Earlier, BARC has sent three different mails making amply clear there is no allegation against Republic Media Network in the fake TRP case but has thus far not gone public with the same despite there clearly being a pressing need to.  

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Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy on Monday slammed the Maharashtra Government for indulging in "revenge politics" against Republic Media Network. The statement from the Union Minister comes a day after Mumbai Police arrested the Network's CEO Vikas Khanchandani without following due process.

"Maharashtra government under the leadership of Shiv Sena and Sonia Sena is indulging in revenge politics. They are continuously taking action against Republic TV. Everyone knows that when a government misuses its power against media for their own benefit, they do not survive, whether it is nationally or internationally. I would like to request to Sonia Sena Sarkar to stop revenge politics. They should address the issues Republic TV is taking up rather than attacking the channel," G Kishan Reddy said.

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Issuing a statement on the arrest of Republic TV CEO Vikas Khanchandani, The News Broadcasters Federation, the country’s largest industry body upholding the Freedom of Media and business interests of TV news channels, has urged the Maharashtra government to ensure law of land is followed in letter and spirit.  

“The early morning arrest of Vikas Khanchandani, the chief executive of Republic TV, is highly alarming on the law and order situation in Maharashtra. The series of arrests of senior executives of Republic TV on the pretext of investigations into one or other raises serious questions on liberty of an individual.  We urge the State Government of Maharashtra to ensure law of land is followed in letter and spirit,” said R. Jai Krishna, Secretary-General of News Broadcasters Federation. 

"Vikas Khanchandani’s arrest by the Greater Mumbai Police is the latest police action after its senior executive Ghanshyam Singh was arrested, remanded and released on bail after spending 26 days in prison. Vikas’ anticipatory bail petition is scheduled to be heard by the court and the arrest and remand is highly disturbing. NBF herein reiterates and urges the Government of India to immediately set-up and independent neutral national agency to investigate into any allegations of professional misconduct by journalists, executives, and owners of media company, in order to prevent selective harassment by the State Authority and to ensure the Freedom of Press," the NBF said in a statement. 

The way Maharashtra govt has acted against one TV channel (Republic TV) has been opposed by people of Maharashtra: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar

Amid the relentless witch hunt against the Republic Media Network, Arnab Goswami has asserted that "law is on our side." Arnab said that despite the "malicious attempts by the Maharashtra government" to threaten Republic Media Network to leave Maharashtra and Mumbai, the network will continue to broadcast from India's financial capital. Arnab roared in Marathi saying that "Mumbai is the land where I work" and he will not leave Maharashtra.

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Senior advocate KK Manan demands the intervention of the courts to take suo moto cognizance of the arrest of Republic Media Network CEO Vikas Khanchandani's illegal arrest. 

Republic CEO arrested as Mumbai Police brazenly defies SC's observations

Republic Media Network's CEO Vikas Khanchandani was arrested by the Mumbai police on Sunday after an early morning raid, just a day ahead of the anticipatory bail hearing. In yet another malicious attempt targetting Republic, the Mumbai Police arrested the network's CEO as Republic Media Network moved NHRC against the custodial torture of the network's AVP distribution Ghanshyam Singh.  

Republic Media Network's CEO Vikas Khanchandani has cooperated and complied with the Mumbai Police and has faced over 100 hours of interrogation in the fake TRP case. Republic CEO's arrest by the Mumbai Police without any papers once again exposes the malicious & vengence-filled intentions of the Mumbai Police persecuting the network. 

Republic Media Network to move holiday bench to seek bail for CEO Vikas Khanchandani.