New Delhi: In a significant development, three high-ranking IPS officers from Andhra Pradesh have been suspended following allegations of illegal arrest and harassment of a Mumbai-based actress. The suspensions were announced after the actress lodged a complaint claiming she was unjustly detained and mistreated under the direction of senior police officials.
The officers implicated are P S R Anjaneyulu of the Director-General rank, Inspector General Kanthi Rana Tata, and Superintendent Vishal Gunni. These actions have been taken amidst accusations of procedural lapses and misuse of power during the enforcement process.
According to reports, the incident stemmed from a land dispute involving a YSR Congress leader who accused the actress of fraud. This led to her and her family’s arrest earlier this year, which she claimed was orchestrated by the Andhra Pradesh police during YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s administration. She further alleged that she was threatened with severe repercussions if she did not withdraw a previously filed case against a corporate executive in Mumbai.
The inquiry led by the Andhra Pradesh police highlighted several procedural errors and acts of misconduct by the involved officers. Anjaneyulu, who served as the state intelligence chief at the time, allegedly initiated the arrest before the formal complaint was registered. He is accused of abusing his official position to expedite the investigation without thorough examination, amounting to serious misconduct and dereliction of duty.
Kanthi Rana Tata is accused of failing to supervise the investigation adequately and acting on oral instructions to arrest the actress without a formal written order. Similarly, Vishal Gunni allegedly did not properly review the complaint before executing the arrest, and he relied on oral commands from his superiors rather than following proper legal procedures.
These suspensions are part of a broader scrutiny of police practices in Andhra Pradesh following the change in government. The new administration has called for a detailed investigation into the conduct of the officers involved, emphasizing adherence to legal standards and ethical conduct in law enforcement.
In addition to these suspensions, two other police officers have been previously suspended related to this case, highlighting ongoing concerns over police procedures and accountability in the region. The state’s police department has registered a case against the YSR Congress leader and others involved, ensuring a thorough investigation into all aspects of the case.
