Relief for ABV ahead of elections as CAT lifts suspension

Much to the relief of senior IPS officer and former AP intelligence chief AB Venkateshwar Rao, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Wednesday lifted his suspension on disciplinary grounds.

The CAT, which reserved its judgment after hearing arguments on his petition filed by ABV against his suspension, also directed the state government to clear all arrears to him and admit him into service.

ABV was suspended for the second time on disciplinary grounds for speaking to the media about the case pending against him and stating that it was against service rules.

Previously, the Supreme Court had lifted his suspension in April 2022, saying that continuing the suspension for more than two years was against the principles of natural justice.

The Supreme Court bench said Rao could not be suspended beyond the stipulated period of two years and ordered that he should be reinstated in service immediately.

The Supreme Court also ruled that Venkateshwara Rao is entitled to salary and allowances from February 7, 2022, the date his suspension ended.

In May 2022, the Jagan government lifted ABV’s suspension and reinstated him in service after more than two years. He was asked to report to the General Administration Department until further orders.

However, the government did not give him posting and kept him waiting without paying him any salary. He was later suspended again for violating service rules by speaking to the media.

ABV has challenged the second ban in the CAT. After lengthy arguments, the CAT ruled that the second suspension of an IPS officer was against the rules. It therefore lifted the suspension.

The 1989-batch IPS officer, who served as state intelligence chief during the previous Telugu Desam Party regime, was suspended since February 8, 2020 for violating rules in procuring some security equipment from Israel during his tenure.