- Second SC order setting aside HC decision
- AP govt. stand vindicated
New Delhi: IPS officer A.B. Venkateswara Rao, of Andhra Pradesh cadre, had a setback in the apex court on Thursday when the court has set aside the order of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The AP HC earlier had issued a stay order on the AP government placing Rao under suspension on the grounds that there were malpractices in purchase of drones and other equipment used for monitoring. He worked as chief of intelligence wing in the government of Chandrababu Naidu, the TDP chief. It was alleged that during his tenure as intelligence chief, Rao had purchased equipment in such a way that it would threaten the safety and security of the country. Central Administrative Tribunal had already made it clear that there were genuine reasons for taking action against Rao. The HC had issued a stay order on the suspension. The State government had appealed in the apex court against the decision of the HC.
It was the second order by the SC in recent times setting aside the order passed by the HC. On Wednesday, the SC had stayed the gag order issued by AP HC earlier in September. AP government has two SC orders in its favour in two days. The HC had ordered that the FIR filed in the case of Amaravati land scam shall not be publcised either by newspapers, news channels or social media. It was set aside by the SC.
