The Andhra Pradesh High Court has quashed the corruption case against retired IPS officer A.B. Venkateswara Rao, a 1989-batch officer, bringing a close to a contentious legal chapter that spanned nearly five years. The court termed the charges “casual and lacking substantial evidence,” offering relief to the officer who was earlier suspended by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government.
Background of the Case
Mr. Venkateswara Rao, seen as a close confidant of current Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, was suspended in 2020 over alleged irregularities in the procurement of ₹25 crore worth of surveillance equipment from an Israeli firm. At the time, he was serving as the Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence). The YSRCP government alleged that he had influenced the deal in favor of Akasam Advanced Systems, a firm linked to his son, involving purchases of UAVs and aerostats.
However, on May 7, the High Court dismissed the FIR and charge sheet filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). Justice N. Harinath stated that the evidence was insufficient to proceed to trial.
Defense and Legal Journey
Advocate B. Adinarayana Rao, representing Mr. Venkateswara Rao, argued that the procurement process had been overseen by the then DGP and that the officer had no direct involvement. He further clarified that Akasam Advanced Systems had no business operations in Andhra Pradesh or Telangana.
Previously, Mr. Venkateswara Rao also denied any involvement in the controversial Pegasus spyware procurement during the earlier TDP government. In response to his public comments on the issue, the YSRCP government issued him a show-cause notice for speaking to the media without authorization.
After his initial suspension was revoked by the Supreme Court in May 2022, he faced a second suspension on grounds that he could influence witnesses. This action was later challenged and overturned by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in May 2024, shortly before his retirement. Though the state government appealed the CAT’s decision, he was reinstated on May 31, 2024, the day he retired.
In January 2025, the newly elected TDP-led government regularized his suspension period as duty time, entitling him to full pay.
Political and Social Context
A member of the Kamma community, Mr. Venkateswara Rao has alleged that officers and business figures from his community were targeted under the previous administration. Post-retirement, he spoke at a Sankranti event hosted by a Kamma community body in Vijayawada, voicing concerns about selective action during the YSRCP rule.
