Union Home Ministry confirms suspension of AB Venkateswara Rao

Amaravati: The Union Home Ministry confirmed the suspension of former Additional Director General of Police AB Venkateswara Rao in a communiqué sent to the state Chief Secretary on March 7.

It may be recalled that the State government suspended the ADGP after conducting preliminary enquiry which stated that he has committed irregularities in the procurement of Aerostat and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle at a cost of Rs 25.5 crore under the modernisation of the police force as the then ADGP of Intelligence.

The DGP also requested the State government to take appropriate disciplinary action and carry out further investigation after prima facie evidence was established. Later, the State government requested the DGP of Anti-Corruption Bureau to conduct a detailed enquiry and submit a report to the government for taking further action.

Rajiv Kumar Nigam, the undersecretary of the Union Home Ministry, said in the communiqué to the Chief Secretary that the request of the State government has been examined in the light of the facts and circumstances of the case and seriousness of the allegations.

He said that the competent authority has accordingly decided to confirm the suspension of AB Venkateswara Rao and requested the State government to issue a charge-sheet against the officer by April 7, 2020.