Installation of Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP government in Andhra Pradesh has proved jinxed for about 16 IPS officers in the state. They are facing rough weather as they have been out of work for several months, some of them since June when Naidu took over as Andhra CM from YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy. Of these, four are serving suspension and the rest are waiting for postings.
They are believed to be paying the price for displaying loyalty to Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Besides, around 14 officers are on deputation with central agencies such as the Intelligence Bureau and the Central Bureau of Investigation. Together they account for roughly 15 percent of the total IPS officers available with the state.
Leaders of the ruling combine have accused many of these 16 officers of siding with YSRCP ministers and legislators over the past five years, often targeting the then-opposition party members regardless of facts or rules.
But it is taking toll on the law and order situation in the state. Even Naidu’s deputy, Pawan Kalyan, has already expressed concerns publicly about it raising issue of law-and-order management, especially crimes against women. But the situation persists.
The reason behind keeping these officers in limbo was provided by TDP leaders on several occasions in the past, who accused the previous YSRCP government of “unleashing a reign of terror and targeting opposition leaders by misusing the police machinery”.
The Naidu administration has apparently been stern with acts of omissions and commissions by IPS officers, especially while dealing with YSRCP leaders, under its rule too.
A top official made a candid confession when he justified the action saying that the government seems to be taking time in reassigning work, keeping them frazzled, teaching them a lesson and warning them as to what might happen if they do not mend their ways.
Among those four IPS officers suspended by the Naidu government is N. Sanjay (IPS:1996:AP), who was the CID chief when Chandrababu Naidu was arrested by the agency in September 2023.
In an unprecedented move in September, the Naidu government suspended three IPS officers in one go, including one of DGP rank, who were perceived to be close to the YSRCP. They were P Seetharama Anjaneyulu (IPS:1992:AP), former director general of police, intelligence; Kanthi Rana Tata (IPS:2004:AP), former commissioner of police of Vijayawada; and Vishal Gunni (IPS:2010:AP), former deputy commissioner of police, Vijayawada.
They were suspended over alleged misconduct and dereliction of duty in a case related to harassment and arrest of model-actor Kadambari Jethwani in an allegedly false land deal case.
While four officers have been suspended, the others are still awaiting postings.
PV Sunil Kumar (IPS:1993:AP), who was the CID chief before Sanjay, has been waiting for a post since 21 June.
Dr Kolli Raghuram Reddy (IPS:2006:AP) seen as the “eyes and ears of Jagan,” has also been awaiting a posting since 8 June.
Apart from them, the other IPS officers waiting for postings include G Pala Raju (IPS:2005:AP) ; Anburajan KKN (IPS:2011:RR), who served as SP in Kadapa, Jagan’s home district; Y Rishanth Reddy (IPS:2016:AP), who was SP in Chittoor, the home turf of YSRCP heavyweight Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy; Babujee Attada (IPS:2011:AP), who was an SP in intelligence; and P Joshua, who was SP, Chittoor.
