AP Polls: EC orders transfer of AP DGP Rajendranath Reddy

Amaravati: The Election Commission of India ordered the transfer of Andhra Pradesh DGP KV Rajendranath Reddy.

This comes just a week before the Andhra Pradesh Elections 2024. Rajendranath has been actively working to organise the polls in the state. In the notice to chief secretary Dr KS Jawahar Reddy, the ECI also asked for the submission of a list with the names of three officers to the panel.

According to the notice issued to the chief secretary on May 5, the commission has ordered the transfer of Rajendranath Reddy with immediate effect. The commission has also directed that the aforesaid officer should hand over the charge to the officer immediately below in rank and the officer should not be assigned to any election-related works till the completion of simultaneous elections to the Legislative Assembly and House of People, 2024 in Andhra Pradesh.

It was further requested that a panel of three DG-rank eligible police officers (IPS) against the incumbent post be furnished by May 6, along with their APAR grading for the last five years and vigilance clearance to the commission.

The ECI took the decision reportedly following the complaint filed by the Opposition Telugu Desam Party. There were also earlier incidents when TDP president Nara Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the DGP has failed to control the law and order in the state, including mining activities, and anti-social elements.

Rajendranath Reddy, an IPS officer of the 1992-batch assumed charge as director general of AP Police in February 2022, after the transfer of Damaodar Gautam Sawang who had been appointed as chairman of the AP Public Service Commission.

Rajendranath had previously worked in various roles like SP (Vijayawada Railways), DCP (Hyderabad East Zone), Vijayawada Police Commissioner, State Police Housing Corporation MD and IG (Visakhapatnam Zone).