'Will resign', says Bhovi development corporation chief facing corruption allegation

Reacting to a video clip on the alleged corruption, Ravikumar says a conspiracy has been hatched against him using AI technology as he was trying to bringing discipline and transparency in the corporation

Shivamogga: Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation Chairperson S Ravikumar has said he will resign in view of allegation of corruption.

At a press conference in the city on Wednesday, he said, "I have decided to resign, taking moral responsibility to prevent embarrassment to the party."

He said, "If the Chief Minister instructs, I will go to Bengaluru soon and tender my resignation."

Reacting to a video clip on the alleged corruption, he said a conspiracy had been hatched against him using artificial intelligence (AI) technology as he was trying to bringing discipline and transparency in the corporation.

He said, "I have not taken money from anyone. I have not given it to anyone. I have not spoken about the commission issue. The dialogue in the video has been distorted using AI technology. If it is sent for an FSL examination, the truth will be known."

He said the video was shot and distorted in that way in the corporation's office itself. Bhovi development corporation officials may also have a role in it, he said. "This conspiracy has been hatched in collaboration with political opponents. I will meet the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister on Thursday to convince them and demand a comprehensive investigation into the case," he said.

Ravikumar said it was too late to go to Bengaluru to meet the Chief Minister as he had gone to a temple with his family. He said the trust the community had placed in him had been damaged in view of the allegation. Therefore, the government must conduct a thorough investigation, he said.

He said since there was a big scam in the Bhovi development corporation in the past, "I thought it was a thorny chair."

"I have worked very carefully. I had taken strict measures to prevent corruption in the corporation. Unable to tolerate it, such distorted video was made using AI technology," he said.

Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa had not given commission to anyone, he said in response to a question and added that everything was a conspiracy.