The Andhra Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, has formally withdrawn all legal proceedings against retired DGP A.B. Venkateswara Rao that were initiated by the previous administration. In a significant development, the government has also decided not to pursue the Supreme Court appeal challenging the High Court’s earlier decision to quash the FIR and charge sheet against him.
This move effectively exonerates senior IPS officer A.B. Venkateswara Rao from all allegations. Through Government Order RT No. 1334, issued by Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand, the government has directed DGP Harish Gupta to halt any further action against Rao. The order clearly upholds the High Court’s judgment in his favor and confirms that no additional legal steps will be taken.
Venkateswara Rao was the Intelligence Chief under the TDP government in 2018. In 2021, the YSRCP government that followed him brought an ACB case against him for alleged corruption in the purchase of surveillance equipment. Rao denied the allegations and in 2022, he filed a petition in the High Court, claiming that no equipment was purchased.
The High Court ruled in his favor, quashing the ACB case. However, in 2024, under pressure from the previous government, the ACB court in Vijayawada filed a charge sheet against him. This was later dismissed by both the High Court and the ACB court.
With the government’s withdrawal of all pending cases and the decision to forego the Supreme Court petition, A.B. Venkateswara Rao has effectively been granted a clean chit, bringing a conclusive end to the legal proceedings and controversy surrounding him.