AP Govt Moots Disciplinary Action Against ABV

[Anta Assamey]

The AP state government had issued yet another notice to senior IPS officer A B Venkateswara Rao, who is under suspension, seeking explanation from him in 30 days for his remarks against the service rules of the All India Service Officers. 

The government further said that if any explanation is received by any person in support of Venkateswara Rao, would be considered as representation made at his instance and action will be taken against him under Rule 8 of All India Service (Conduct) Rules 1968.

The government took strong exception to A B Venkateswara Rao’s statement before the media on April 4, 2021, after attending enquiry before the enquiry officer, wherein the officer made allegations against the government and senior officers in violation of the service rules. 

The government enclosed the media reports and audio clips of Venkateswara Rao’s statement, where he also referred to the murder of Y S Vivekananda Reddy. 

The senior police officer also made derogatory remarks against the inquiry officers in his case, and said that he was implicated in the cases with malafide intention. 

The government had also asked Venkateswara Rao to attend the enquiry for his open statements against the senior officers and the government authorities in violation of the service rules. 

The government further said if Venkateswara Rao refuses or fails to give explanation and avoids enquiry into the matter, action would be taken against him based on the evidence available on record on the ground that he had no explanation to offer.

It is to be seen what action that the government would take against the senior IPS officer, who was close to former chief minister Chandrababu Naidu and who played key role in the defection of 23 MLAs from the YSR Congress to the then ruling TDP in 2017-18.