Surveillance equipment scam: AP IPS officer Venkateswara Rao suspended again for trying to influence witnesses
Chief Secretary Sameer Sharma placed the former Intelligence chief under suspension under sub-rule (3) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. Further, dismissal from service of AB. Venkateswara Rao, IPS, has also been recommended.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 29 Jun 2022 3:54 AM GMT
Vijayawada: Senior IPS officer AB Venkateswara Rao has been suspended again on charges of influencing witnesses in a surveillance equipment scam.
Chief Secretary Sameer Sharma placed the former Intelligence chief under suspension under sub-rule (3) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. Further, dismissal from service of AB. Venkateswara Rao, IPS, has also been recommended.
Anti-corruption Bureau (ACB) is already probing his role in the illegal procurement of surveillance equipment.
There have been allegations that the IPS officer tried to influence the witnesses.
It was two weeks ago that the State government appointed senior IPS officer and former Intelligence chief AB Venkateswara Rao as Commissioner of Printing, Stationery, and Stores Purchase.
Previous suspension
Rao was suspended on February 7, 2020, on charges of corruption in the procurement of security equipment while working as the Additional Director General of Police, Intelligence.
The then Additional Director General of Police, Intelligence hatched a criminal conspiracy with others and incorporated a company, M/s. Akasam Advanced Systems to take undue advantage. He allegedly unilaterally changed, downsized the technical specifications and warranty period of the Bid and addressed several communications, and thereby insisted on procuring the equipment.
To derive benefit through such procurement also, Rao allegedly credited Rs. 35 lakhs into the account of M/s 'Akasam Advanced Systems Ltd., to promote the products of the private firm M/s. RT Inflatable Objects Lid. / M/s. RT LTA Systems Lid., Israel in India, without informing the government.
In this case, the state government directed the CID to probe into the matter. A case was registered against him in March 2021 under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC. He was later suspended. He got his suspension revoked in April and was reinstated in June 2022.
