The Mumbai Police in the ongoing investigation into the alleged television rating points (TRP) scam has now submitted some damning evidence against Republic TV Editor Arnab Goswami. Running over 1,000 pages, the WhatsApp chats suggest collusion between Goswami and others. The WhatsApp chats were part of the 3,400-page supplementary charge sheet that the Mumbai Police filed earlier this week.
These messages also show the senior journalist’s proximity to the PMO (Prime Minister’s Office) and also the information and broadcast ministry. The messages also suggest that Goswami had misused the access.
Pulwama Attack
In one of the alleged chats of Goswami, on February 14 says, “This attack we have won like crazy.” This message was sent the day a convoy carrying security personnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-born suicide bomber. Forty CRPF personnel lost their lives. The attack happened at Lethpora in the Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir.
This is what nationalism is supposed to be?
“This attack we have won like crazy”
40 Jawans lost their lives. pic.twitter.com/LNmxyl7878
— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) January 15, 2021
Also Read: Arnab paid ‘lakhs of rupees’ to former BARC CEO to increase TRP
Balakot Airstrike
In another one of the alleged chats, the senior journalist seems to have had prior information of some “sensitive events” and details, three days before Balakot airstrikes actually happened. “Bigger than a normal airstrike. And on the same time something major on Kashmir. On Pakistan the government is confident of striking in a way that people will be elated. Exact words used.”
Pre and Post Balakot. pic.twitter.com/Sf3Gcl0mId
— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) January 15, 2021
Arnab knew about the Balakot Air Strikes three days before it happened!
He and his friend are chatting that this will “sweep the polls”. Who told him?
This is a clear criminal offence under OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT
Arnab must be immediately ARRESTED for this & tried for TREASON.
— Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) January 15, 2021
Abrogation of Article 370
These alleged chats also revealed that the Republic TV Editor had met the National Security Advisor just two days before the abrogation of Article 370. According to the leaked SMSs, Goswami had allegedly sent ‘50 strong crew to Jammu and Kashmir on August 3. This is just two days ahead of the announcement.
Arnab had a meet with NSA (Ajit Doval) & PM during the removal of Article 370.
Arnab was at the centre of every major activity of Modi Govt, even if it involves national security. pic.twitter.com/to4saVPRH6
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) January 15, 2021
Also Read: Hate speech: UK regulator slaps Rs 20 lakh fine on Arnab Goswami’s show
Arun Jaitley
The alleged leaked WhatsApp texts also show how Goswami’s reaction was towards Ex-Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s death. He wrote in his conversation on August 19, 2019, “Jaitley stretching it,” adding, “PMO doesn’t know what to do, pm leaving on Wednesday for France.” He again writes, “one of my meetings in Delhi this week gets pushed because of this.”
SHOCKING
This is how Arnab Goswami reacted when Arun Jaitley was on his death bed. No wonder this person has not even a bit of empathy.
By: @scotchism pic.twitter.com/Qc50gxFhEk
— Dhruv Rathee (@dhruv_rathee) January 15, 2021
Kangana Ranaut and Hrithik Roshan
In the alleged leaked texts, Goswami talks with another person who termed actor Hrithik Roshan as “dumb” and Kangana Ranaut as “schizophrenic,” to which the editor adds, “she has eroto mania” and “that she is sexually possessed with him.”
Arnab on Kangana and Hrithik.
“Seriously she has erotomania”
“What’s that?”
“that she is sexually possessed with him”#ArnabGoswami #ArnabGate pic.twitter.com/Jxh6hyK3XS— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) January 15, 2021
These messages were allegedly exchanged between Arnab Goswami- Republic TV editor and Partho Dasgupta- the former chief executive officer of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) discussing ways to “manipulate ratings.”