CAT dismisses IPS officer AB Venkateswara Rao’s suspension from 2019

Vijayawada: The State government’s suspension of senior IPS officer AB Venkateswara Rao was overturned by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Wednesday. Additionally, the CAT also directed the State government to hire Venkateswara Rao and pay him all the outstanding arrears.

In 2019, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) suspended Venkateswara Rao. He appealed his suspension to the High Court and the court ordered the State to reinstate his services. The State administration appointed him as the commissioner of printing and stationery in accordance with the High Court’s ruling. But after talking to the media for two days the authorities suspended him again.

The allegations of corruption in the State government’s procurement of security devices during the TDP regime led to Venkateswara Rao’s suspension. According to the allegations, Venkateswara Rao’s son participated in the transaction and made a sizable profit.

Rao contested the government’s judgment in court and front of the CAT. After determining that his suspension was unjustified, the CAT ordered the state to provide him with a posting. An All-India service officer cannot be suspended twice for the same offence, according to the CAT.