HC rejects stay of CAT orders in case of ABV suspension

Nelapadu (Guntur District): In a pardon for suspended IPS officer ABV Venkateswara Rao, the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday rejected the state government’s plea to stay the Central Administrative Tribunal’s (CAT) orders for his reinstatement. However, ABV, who is due to retire on Friday, May 31, is not happy with the decision.

Venkateswara Rao, former intelligence chief, was suspended in February 2020 for alleged irregularities in procurement of equipment for security operations. His suspension was made under Rule 3(1) of the All India Service (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969, in the context of ongoing disciplinary proceedings.

The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that Venkateswara Rao’s suspension could last for a maximum of two years under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Amendment Rules, 2015. Despite this, the Andhra Pradesh government did not reinstate him and instead filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking stay of the CAT orders.

With the Supreme Court rejecting the state government’s petition, it remains to be seen what action the state government will take with regard to ABV, be it reinstating him before his retirement or retiring without finding a job.

Meanwhile, senior IPS officer Venkateswara Rao met Chief Secretary KS Jawahar Reddy at the Secretariat in Velagapudi on Thursday and handed over the Supreme Court orders to him. He appealed to the Chief Secretary to issue orders enabling him to be posted as per the Supreme Court order.

He later also handed over a copy of the court order to the Chief Election Officer Mukhesh Kumar Meena.