Major blow to AB Venkateswara Rao with SC’s verdict

The Supreme Court of India has issued a stay order on the the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s decision to not suspend senior IPS officer and former intelligence chief A B Venkateswara Rao from his post.

In May, the AP High Court asked the government of Andhra Pradesh to reinstate Rao to his original position, but the AP government was not satisfied with this order, and approached the SC following that. The SC has now stayed the HC’s order, and called for the suspension of Venkateswara Rao.

Venkateswara Rao was suspended by the AP government after reported irregularities in the purchasing of surveillance equipment from an Israeli firm, RT Inflatable Objects. Venkateswara Rao had reportedly deflected this contract to Akasam Advanced System Company, which is owned by Rao’s son.

After his suspension, Rao moved CAT, which supported the government’s decision, and dismissed Rao’s petition. Dissatisfied with the way CAT reacted, Rao approached the HC, which gave order in his favor.