Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government has appointed Kumar Vishwajeet, IAS (1994: AP), Principal Secretary, Home Department, as the Inquiry Authority to probe charges against suspended IPS officer N Sanjay (1996: AP)over alleged misappropriation and misuse of public funds.
The Government Order (GO) was issued by Chief Secretary G Sai Prasad, IAS (1991: AP) on Tuesday. The inquiry will examine the charges framed against Sanjay and submit its report to the state government within the prescribed time limit.
The government has decided to conduct a regular departmental inquiry after examining the facts and circumstances of the case.
Charges Relate to AGNI Portal and Other Alleged Irregularities
One of the major allegations against Sanjay relates to the AGNI (Automated Governance & NoC Integration) web portal.
The suspended IPS officer has been accused of alleged misappropriation and misuse of public funds in the work, development and maintenance of the AGNI portal, besides other alleged irregularities.
These allegations relate to the period when Sanjay was serving as Director General, Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Response & Fire Services.
The inquiry will examine the charges and the circumstances surrounding the expenditure and implementation of the work associated with the portal.
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Sanjay Accused of Misusing SC/ST Awareness Training Funds
The charges against Sanjay are not limited to the AGNI portal.
According to the government order, he has also been accused of allegedly misappropriating funds allocated for training police personnel to create awareness among members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes about their rights.
The alleged irregularity relates to his tenure as Additional Director General of Police, CID.
The training programme was intended to create awareness among police personnel regarding the rights of victims and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Government Had Asked Sanjay to Submit Defence
The GO states that the state government had earlier directed IPS officer Sanjay to submit his written statement of defence in response to the charges.
However, according to the order, Sanjay failed to submit the written statement of defence within the stipulated process.
Following an examination of the matter, the government decided to proceed with a regular inquiry into the charges framed against him.
The departmental proceedings are being conducted under Rule 8(2) of the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969.
Kumar Vishwajeet to Conduct Regular Inquiry
As the appointed Inquiry Authority, Kumar Vishwajeet will examine the charges and relevant material in the case before submitting his findings to the Andhra Pradesh government.
The inquiry is expected to cover the allegations concerning the AGNI portal as well as the alleged diversion or misuse of funds meant for SC/ST-related police training and awareness programmes.
The government order makes clear that the inquiry is being undertaken as a formal departmental proceeding following the framing of charges against the suspended IPS officer.
Sanjay Was Andhra Pradesh CID Chief
Sanjay, a 1996-batch IPS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, has held several senior positions in the state police establishment.
He was serving as Additional Director General of Police, CID, when the CID arrested then-TDP chief and current Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in 2023.
The arrest was made in connection with the Andhra Pradesh CID’s investigation at the time. Sanjay’s role as CID chief during that period had subsequently made him a prominent figure in the state’s political and administrative landscape.
Inquiry to Determine Charges
The appointment of an Inquiry Authority marks the next step in the departmental proceedings against the suspended IPS officer.
The state government, after examining the allegations and related facts, has decided to proceed with a regular inquiryrather than close the matter.
Kumar Vishwajeet will now conduct the inquiry into the charges framed against Sanjay and submit the report to the government within the prescribed timeframe.
The proceedings will determine the facts surrounding the alleged financial irregularities and misuse of public funds during Sanjay’s different assignments.
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