MHA confirms suspension of Andhra's former Intel Chief A B Venkateswara Rao for security breach

Hyderabad: The Union Government has directed the AP State Government to file charge sheet against the suspended IPS Officer A B Venkateswara Rao, who was the chief of Intelligence during the regime of former Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary of AP, the Union Home Ministry has clarified that the central government has endorsed the suspension orders of A B Venkateswara Rao.

It may be noted that the suspended Additional DGP AB Venkateswara Rao had knocked the doors of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) last month, asking them to declare his suspension as "against rules and guidelines".

Mr Rao had also stated that he was not being paid salary since May 31, last year. He said that the government has suspended him on the grounds of "baseless allegations."

He further urged the CAT to scrap the suspension orders, as they were issued following political pressure.

A B Venkateswara Rao is the second All India Service (AIS) officer to challenge the suspension orders from Andhra Pradesh. However, the CAT has put aside his argument and denied to give stay on the suspension orders issued by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. These developments have led to a big debate in the AP Administrative and Police Circles.

In the AB Venkateswara Rao case, the government has alleged that he has violated the protocol of trust and leaked the information to private people, which attracts the conspiracy against State charges. In the letter addressed to the Chief Secretary of AP, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has stated that "it has been noted that the allegations in the preliminary enquiry report that the then Additional DGP (Intelligence) A B Venkateswara Rao has committed irregularities in the procurement of Aerostat and Unmanned aerial vehicle at the cost of Rs.25.50 Crore under the modernization of police forces scheme, 2017-18."

The letter further stated that "prima facie evidence has been established on the grave misconduct and irregularities exhibited by A B Venkateswara Rao and the DGP-Andhra Pradesh has also requested the State Government to take appropriate disciplinary action and further investigation."

The Ministry of Home Affairs has further directed the State Government to file charge sheet against the former Additional DGP A B Venkateswara Rao.