Suspended Hyderabad-based IPS trainee gets relief, CAT stays MHA order

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) Bench in Hyderabad has stayed the suspension ordered by the Ministry of Home Affairs against Hyderabad-based IPS Probationer Kokkanti Venkata Maheshwar Reddy. The bench on Tuesday set aside the order against the IPS trainee, who is facing a case of cheating filed by his wife.

According, to the trainee’s counsel the CAT Bench found fault with the MHA order suspending the Offer of Appointment of the IPS trainee officer and said the question of suspension does not arise as he is only a probationer and no provision was quoted under which the power (suspension) was invoked besides it was not related to service and it is a domestic issue.

CAT Chairman Justice L Narasimha Reddy and Tribunal’s administrative member BV Sudhakar passed the orders and directed the MHA to allow the IPS probationer to attend training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad.

Earlier, the MHA after reviewing the case filed by his wife, pending the Appointment order of the trainee. Following which he moved CAT and filed a petition challenging the Central government order.

Kokkanti Bhavana claims to be the wife of the IPS trainee, filed a complaint with the Rachakonda police against her husband for allegedly cheating her, besides threatening to kill her.

According to the complaint filed, The couple were in a relationship since 2009. The duo had a registered marriage in 2018 . However their happy story cut short when disputes arose between them after Kokkanti Venkata Maheshwar Reddy cleared UPSC. The 28-year-old Bhavana has allegedly that her husband; an IPS Probationer refused to accept her as she belongs to a different caste.

Earlier in October, The lady had approached the Rachakonda’s Jawaharnagar Police station however was directed for counseling. The police had advised the couple to sort their issues amicably.

But their relationship remained distrubed .A month later, On October 27, the IPS probationer was booked under IPC sections 498 A (domestic violence), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation) and SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, based on the complaint filed by his wife, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste community.