Former AP CID chief Sunil Kumar suspended for travelling abroad without govt approval

Amaravati: The State government has suspended IPS officer and former AP CID chief PV Sunil Kumar for allegedly violating service rules. The suspension order was issued on Sunday after an inquiry found that he had travelled abroad without obtaining approval.

According to the GO, the government accorded permission to Sunil Kumar to visit Georgia by sanctioning a casual leave for two days, on March 1 and 4 last year, with permission to avail of public holidays. However, the officer visited the United Arab Emirates on his own, in deviation from government orders.

IPS officers travelled abroad multiple times without permission

According to the government, this is not the first time Sunil Kumar has broken the rules regarding foreign travel.

In 2022, the government permitted Sunil Kumar to visit Georgia by sanctioning earned leaves for six days from December 14 to 19. However, the officer visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on his own, in deviation from government orders.

The officer also visited the UAE in 2021, traveling from Hyderabad without obtaining permission from the government. The IPS officer also visited the United Kingdom on his own, in deviation from government orders.

Sunil Kumar visited Sweden from September 2 to 11, 2023, traveling from Hyderabad to Sweden via Flight No. EK-525 and returned without obtaining permission from the government. The officer also travelled to the USA in 2023 from Hyderabad without obtaining permission from the government.

As per the government, the IPS officer’s actions exhibit gross negligence, indiscipline and grave misconduct by undertaking foreign travel without obtaining requisite permission, thereby violating applicable rules and regulations. Consequently, disciplinary proceedings are contemplated for such repeated acts of grave misconduct.

What are the rules about IPS officers travelling abroad?

It is essential for IPS officers contemplating foreign travel to show strict adherence to procedural requirements for obtaining prior permission. This ensures administrative accountability, maintains chain of command awareness, addresses potential security concerns and prevents conflicts of interest during foreign visits.

“Unauthorised foreign travel by an IPS officer raises serious concerns as their position grants them access to sensitive operational information, intelligence reports and details of ongoing investigations. Such unauthorised travel to foreign countries is against the interest of national security. The unauthorised foreign travel of PV Sunil Kumar constitutes a violation of Rule-3 (1), 3 (1A) (i), 3 (1A) (iv), and 3 (2B) (x) & (xi) of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968,” read the GO.

The government, after careful consideration of the available information and the circumstances of the case, has determined that there is sufficient prima facie evidence indicating that the officer has repeatedly demonstrated wilful disregard for established practices.

Sunil Kumar shall not leave the headquarters without obtaining prior permission from the Government. He shall be paid a subsistence allowance during the period of suspension as admissible under Rule 4 of the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969.

IPS officer named in alleged custodial torture

In January 2025, the Andhra Pradesh government ordered an inquiry against senior IPS officer PV Sunil Kumar in the alleged custodial torture of the then Member of Parliament and sitting deputy speaker of the Legislative Assembly K Raghu Rama Krishna Raju.

Sunil Kumar faced misconduct charges when he was the additional director general of Police (CID) in 2021. He was allegedly responsible for the ‘custodial torture’ of then Member of Parliament and present deputy speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly K Raghu Ramakrishna Raju.

Kanumuru Raghu Rama Krishna Raju is currently the deputy speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly. The case dates back to 2021; Raghu Rama Krishna Raju was arrested in May 2021 during the Covid-19 second wave when he was serving as the Narasapuram MP for allegedly abusing the then chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.