Supreme Court stays Andhra High Court order over suspension of AB Venkateswar Rao

Andhra Pradesh IPS officer AB Venkateswara Rao had received a major blow in the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The Supreme Court had issued stay orders over High Court's stay order on the suspension of AB Venkateswara Rao. The suspension was lifted by the AP High Court and the government challenged it in the Supreme Court. The Jagan government has suspended AB Venkateswara Rao, who served as intelligence chief during the TDP government over the allegations of irregularities in the purchase of equipment in the past.

However, AB Venkateswar Rao appealed to the tribunal challenging the government's suspension where the verdict has come against him. Venkateswara Rao has approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court challenging the tribunal's verdict, which ruled in favour of lifting the suspension. Following which, Andhra Pradesh government has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the High Court judgment.

The petition filed by the Andhra Pradesh government was heard in the Supreme Court. Justice Lavu Nageswara Rao withdrew from the trial bench stating "not before me". He dropped himself out of the case for personal reasons.

A.B. Venkateshwara Rao, the senior IPS officer who worked as Intelligence Chief has been suspended on charges of violating the All India Services (AIS) Rules. It was alleged that Venkateswar Rao was tied hands with foreign defence manufacturing company, R.T. Inflatables Private Limited and violated all procedures in giving contracts.