SC asks Telangana HC to take call on ex-TV9 CEO Ravi Prakash's anticipatory bail

The Supreme Court on Monday redirected former CEO of TV9 Ravi Prakash, to the Telangana High Court, to take a final decision on the anticipatory bail plea filed by him. Ravi Prakash's bail plea had been dismissed by the HC on May 22, following which he moved the SC.

The Cyberabad police are presently investigating a case of forgery and cheating against the former CEO of Associated Broadcasting Company Private Limited (ABCPL), the parent company of TV9.

Giving Ravi Prakash relief by allowing him to exercise his option of seeking anticipatory bail, the SC asked the HC to take the final call by June 10, based on the merits of his argument. Meanwhile, the apex court also directed him to comply with the notices that the police had issued against him, to appear for questioning. 

Contending that the case was being heard by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Ravi Prakash has argued that the FIRs were



unlawful and offered to cooperate with the police if the anticipatory bail was granted. The police have already quizzed former TV9 Chief Financial Officer (CFO) M V K N Murthy.

Ravi Prakash, the founder of ABCPL, was forced to step down as CEO after the Board passed a resolution revoking all powers vested with him, last month.

The dispute relates to Alanda Media buying more than 90.54% stake in TV9 recently. The company has alleged that Ravi Prakash actively opposed Alanda's move to appoint four directors.

However, in a scathing letter, Ravi Prakash hit back at Alanda and alleged that the Board members were representatives of political honchos “who are out there to devour ‘every’ journalist and independent media house today.”

Ravi Prakash continues to be a shareholder in the company. He has been replaced by Mahendra Mishra, who has been appointed as the interim CEO.