SC cancels suspension of senior IPS officer AB Venkateswara Rao

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the special leave petition filed by the Andhra Pradesh government and cancelled the suspension of DGP-ranked senior IPS officer AB Venkateswara Rao. It directed the state government to readmit Rao into service. However, the top court said that they will not interfere in the High Court orders.
 
The AP government placed IPS officer under suspension for allegedly procuring Pegasus spyware from Israeli firm during the previous Chandrababu-led TDP regime. Former intelligence chief had approached the apex court after his suspension was not cancelled even after two years. 
 
After hearing arguments from both sides, the Supreme Court raised objection for not lifting suspension as any official belonging to All India Services cannot be under suspension for more than two years. His two-year suspension period was ended on February 7, 2022. It further instructed the AP government to pay all the benefits to the official which he is eligible from February 8, 2022.