VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government has revoked the suspension of two senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, Kanthi Rana Tata and Vishal Gunni, and reinstated them into service with immediate effect.
The decision was taken through two separate orders issued by Chief Secretary G Sai Prasad under clause (c) of sub-rule (7) of Rule 3 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.
Both officers had remained under suspension since September 2024 in connection with the alleged high-handed handling of a case involving Mumbai-based actress and model Kadambari Jethwani. While their suspension has now been revoked, the government has made it clear that their reinstatement will be without prejudice to the ongoing disciplinary and criminal proceedings.
The latest extension of their suspension was due to remain in force until September 4, 2026.
Separate Orders Issued Revoking Suspension
The Andhra Pradesh government issued separate orders lifting the suspension of Kanthi Rana Tata and Vishal Gunni and restoring them to service with immediate effect.
Both officers had been suspended under Rule 3(1) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. Their suspension had subsequently been extended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the rules.
The latest extension was valid until September 4, 2026. However, before the expiry of the extension period, the government decided to revoke their suspension.
The Director General of Police has been directed to serve the orders on both officers and obtain their acknowledgements.
Kanthi Rana Tata’s Representation Considered
In the case of Kanthi Rana Tata, the government considered his representation dated August 24, 2026, before deciding to revoke his suspension.
The decision was also based on a report submitted by Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta.
After considering Tata’s representation and the report of the DGP, the state government decided to revoke the suspension and reinstate him into service with immediate effect.
Vishal Gunni Reinstated Following DGP Report
In the case of Vishal Gunni, the Andhra Pradesh government said the decision to revoke his suspension was taken after considering the circumstances reported by the Director General of Police and Head of Police Force (HoPF).
Gunni had been under suspension since September 15, 2024.
He had earlier challenged his suspension before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which ordered his reinstatement. The Andhra Pradesh government subsequently challenged the CAT order before the High Court, which stayed the tribunal’s decision.
Following the subsequent developments, Gunni, along with Kanthi Rana Tata, submitted a representation on August 24 seeking revocation of the suspension.
Based on the representations and the circumstances examined by the police leadership, the DGP recommended the revocation of their suspension, following which the Chief Secretary issued the orders reinstating both officers.
Both Officers Were Suspended in Kadambari Jethwani Case
The suspension of Kanthi Rana Tata and Vishal Gunni was linked to allegations concerning the handling of a case involving Mumbai-based actress and model Kadambari Jethwani.
In 2024, the Andhra Pradesh government had suspended five police officers in connection with the matter, including three IPS officers.
The officers suspended included:
- P Sitharama Anjaneyulu, then DGP (Intelligence)
- Kanthi Rana Tata, then associated with the NTR district police administration
- Vishal Gunni, who was serving as DCP
- K Hanumantha Rao, West Zone ACP
- M Satyanarayana, Ibrahimpatnam Circle Inspector
The action followed allegations of high-handed handling of the case involving Jethwani.
Union Home Ministry Had Confirmed Suspension
The suspension of the three IPS officers in the case was subsequently confirmed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
The suspension was extended for a further 180 days based on the recommendations of the Review Committee, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.
Kanthi Rana Tata and Vishal Gunni continued to remain under suspension as the matter proceeded through administrative and legal processes.
Representations Submitted on August 24
A key development leading to the latest orders came when both officers submitted representations on August 24, 2026, seeking the revocation of their suspension.
In Kanthi Rana Tata’s case, the government specifically considered his representation along with the report submitted by DGP Harish Kumar Gupta.
In Vishal Gunni’s case, the decision was based on the circumstances reported by the DGP and Head of Police Force.
Following consideration of their requests, the DGP recommended the revocation of the suspension of both officers. Acting on the recommendation and the relevant reports, Chief Secretary G Sai Prasad issued separate orders on Thursday lifting their suspension.
Reinstatement Does Not Affect Ongoing Proceedings
The government has clarified that the reinstatement of Kanthi Rana Tata and Vishal Gunni will not affect the ongoing proceedings connected with the case.
Their reinstatement has been ordered without prejudice to the disciplinary and criminal proceedings, meaning that the revocation of suspension does not amount to the closure or conclusion of the cases or inquiries against them.
With the latest orders, both officers will return to service with immediate effect after remaining under suspension since September 2024, bringing an end to nearly two years of suspension.
The decision marks a significant development in the long-running disciplinary action involving senior police officers in the Kadambari Jethwani case, although the underlying disciplinary and criminal proceedings will continue.
