Centre okays suspension of Andhra DGP-rank officer

Amaravati, March 7

The Union Home Ministry on Saturday confirmed the suspension of Andhra Pradesh’s former intelligence chief AB Venkateswara Rao and directed the state government to issue a charge-sheet against the DGP-rank officer by April 7.

On February 8, the state government placed Rao, a 1989-batch IPS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, under suspension based on a report by DGP Gautam Sawang, alleging “misconduct.” in the procurement of security equipment.

On February 13, Rao had approached the Central Administrative Tribunal, challenging his suspension but did not get any relief.

“The allegations in the preliminary inquiry report are that Rao committed irregularities in the procurement of Aerostat and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle at a cost Rs 25.50 crore under the Modernisation of Police Forces Scheme (2017-18),” MHA Under Secretary Rajiv Kumar Nigam stated.

A leaked confidential report said, “Rao wilfully disclosed intelligence protocols and procedures of police to a foreign defence manufacturing firm.”

The report also said Rao “colluded” with RT Inflatables Pvt Ltd, an Israeli defence equipment manufacturer, to illegally award critical intelligence and surveillance contract to his son Chetan Sai Krishna, who was CEO of Akasam Advanced Systems Pvt Ltd (primary bidder on behalf of RT Inflatables). — PTI