The Andhra Pradesh government announced on December 21 that it has dropped all disciplinary proceedings against retired IPS officer A.B. Venkateswara Rao (1989 batch). The charges of corruption, leveled during the tenure of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), have been set aside.
According to a Government Order (G.O.) issued by Chief Secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad (1987-batch IAS officer), the decision was made on the grounds that further inquiry into allegations against a retired officer would be unproductive. The inquiry conducted earlier had already concluded, with no additional evidence likely to be unearthed.
Key Findings of the Inquiry
- No Financial Loss: The inquiry established that the Government of Andhra Pradesh suffered no financial loss. The funds involved in the disputed transaction were returned to the State Trading Corporation of India Limited, and the tender process in question was cancelled on December 24, 2018.
- No Personal Gain: The investigation found no material benefit accrued to Mr. Venkateswara Rao or his son from the alleged violations.
- Unresolved Penalty Deliberations: Although the inquiry report was submitted, discussions on the penalties to be imposed remained inconclusive.
The government’s decision to close the case underscores the lack of actionable findings from the inquiry and the impracticality of pursuing disciplinary action against a retired officer.
