The row over management control of the Associated Broadcasting Private Ltd (ABCPL), which operates the TV9 group of channels, is continuing with its former CEO V Ravi Prakash alleging ‘political influence’ on Alanda Media and Entertainment.

Alanda Media, which recently acquired 90.54 per cent state in ABCPL, had formally taken over full management control of the channels and also removed Ravi Prakash, promoter-CEO and whole time director and CFO, KVN Murthy on Friday.

It appointed Mahendra Mishra, who takes care of TV9 Karnataka operations, as the Interim CEO and G Singa Rao, former journalist, as COO.

In a resignation letter, Ravi Prakash said: “You are representatives of political honchos who are out there to devour every journalist and independent media house today.” He also termed police complaints against him and other directors of the company by Alanda as false.

Alleging a ‘forceful’ takeover of the company, Ravi Prakash said: “You will continue to see me as a fellow shareholder & legal owner of my share of the company in the courts of law.”

Ravi Prakash and others have about 9.5 per cent stake in the company.

In a press conference held on Friday, S Sambasiva Rao, Director of Alanda Media, said that the company was committed to upholding the core values of delivering unbiased and high quality journalism.

Alanda Media acquired a majority stake in ABCPL in August 2018 from its erstwhile promoters. Following this, it nominated four directors on the board of ABCPL, which was later approved under the Companies Act and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

However, Ravi Prakash and Murthy failed to file the details with the Registrar of Companies confirming the appointment, and also removed the Company Secretary by forging his signatures so that the appointment of new directors was not communicated to the RoC, Sambasiva Rao alleged.

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