BARC India gets FIR filed in Telangana, 5 people detained

MUMBAI: TV viewership monitoring agency BARC India has got a FIR filed in Telangana against panel home infiltrators. On the basis of the FIR, the state police has detained five accused.

Earlier, BARC’s vigilance team had filled similar action against those involved in panel home manipulation in Karnataka.

The FIR in Telangana was filed by the police after BARC India’s vigilance team found out that the details of the households where BARC India’s BAR-O-Meters are installed were compromised. The FIR has been filed for manipulation, tampering, cheating and breach of trust.


“BARC India over the years has taken a number of measures to curb panel home tampering. However, there are still pockets and people, who continue to indulge in such malpractices. We are continuously investing in technology and on-ground vigilance to curb these malpractices. BARC India has and will continue to take action against those who try and infiltrate our system,” said Partho Dasgupta, CEO, BARC India.

Advertising is a major source of revenue for the TV industry and TV viewership data provided by BARC India acts as the currency for advertisers.

After multiple reports of malpractices, BARC India set up a Disciplinary Council headed by Retd justice Mukul Mudgal to strengthen transparency and credibility of its measurement system.