A B Venkateswara Rao

Summary

The previous government's intelligence chief spent nearly five of his last years suspended; courts set aside both suspensions and the next government treated them as duty.

1. Feb 2020Documented

   DGP, Anti-Corruption Bureau (posted 22.04.2019; earlier ADG Intelligence from 2015)Suspended (twice, about five years in all)

   Intelligence chief under the previous TDP government, he was suspended in February 2020 over alleged irregularities in buying surveillance/security equipment; an ACB case was registered. The High Court quashed the suspension in May 2020; the Supreme Court dismissed the state's appeal in April 2022 because the two-year limit had passed. Reinstated as Commissioner of Printing on 14 June 2022, he was suspended again on 28 June 2022. CAT quashed that in May 2024, and the High Court declined to stay CAT. He was reinstated on his last day of service. After the change of government, the new state government treated both suspensions as duty.

   Up against

   Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy's government, State government, YSR Congress Party Government: Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy (YSRCP), Andhra Pradesh.

   Reported reason

   Alleged irregularities in the purchase of surveillance equipment (TNIE); second suspension citing the pending criminal case.

   The officer said

   Before CAT his counsel said re-suspending him on the same grounds after the Supreme Court's order was 'illegal, arbitrary' (TNIE) and that the authorities acted mala fide (AP HC).

   The other side said

   Advocate General S Sriram told the High Court he 'threatened witnesses and also participated in press conferences and leveled baseless allegations against the Government including Hon'ble the Chief Minister', and that the Centre had granted sanction to prosecute under the PC Act (AP HC order).

   Outcome

   Reinstated on 31 May 2024 (G.O.Rt.No.1002) and retired the same day.

   What became of the matter

   Officer cleared. TOI (Jan 2025): disciplinary proceedings from the first suspension were dropped in Dec 2024, and both suspension periods were regularised as duty with full pay. The ACB criminal case (FIR No.1/RCO-CIU-ACB/2021) status after 2024 not found. timesofindia.indiatimes.com

   • Judgment State of Andhra Pradesh v. A B Venkateswara Rao, AP High Court, WP 12060/2024, para 14, May 2024

     Thus, the 1st respondent was under suspension for nearly five years and is retiring from service on attaining the age of superannuation on 31.05.2024.

   • Judgment Same order, para 13, May 2024

     after the pre-arrest bail was granted, so far no application was filed seeking cancellation of pre-arrest bail by the prosecution would make things more than discernable that 1st respondent did not resort to any such acts.

   Andhra Pradesh High Court (Indian Kanoon), May 2024 · The New Indian Express, May 2024 · Deccan Chronicle, May 2024 · The Times of India, Jan 2025