In a sensational development in the data theft controversy involving globally under-fire firm Cambridge Analytica and alleged links to Indian political parties, Republic TV has ascertained that the true scope of the scandal is far larger than previously thought.

In the third part of a super exclusive #ForeignHand expose, Republic TV's sources have revealed that eight top leaders of a major national political party met with Alexander Nix, the now-suspended CEO of Cambridge Analytica, as well as other top executives of the company in the latter half of 2017.

Earlier, the investigation had revealed that a political party had struck a massive Rs. 800+ crore deal with Cambridge Analytica and its affiliates and that an NGO may have been used to front payments. Cambridge Analytica is in the eye of a global storm over its alleged data theft and the other means by which it influenced global elections.

Earlier, the investigation had revealed a stunning NGO link, regarding an NGO having been used by a political party to front payments to Cambridge Analytica and its affiliates. Cambridge Analytica is in the eye of a global storm over its alleged data theft and the other means by which it influenced global elections.

The union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad addressed two briefings over a 24-hour period where he alleged that the Congress party had availed of the services of Cambridge Analytica. In the second briefing, he carried 'proof' comprising news reports that said Cambridge Analytica was Rahul Gandhi's 'Brahmastra' against the BJP for the upcoming elections.

The Congress, on the other hand, stated categorically that it hadn't employed Cambridge Analytica's services. However, the website of a Cambridge Analytica affiliate in India stated under the webpage listing its clients that it had been employed by the Congress, BJP and JD(U).