• Source:JND
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Mumbai News: Three senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in Andhra Pradesh have been suspended following a complaint made by a Mumbai-based actress regarding her illegal arrest and detention. The officers suspended include P S R Anjaneyulu, a Director-General, Kanthi Rana Tata, an Inspector General and Vishal Gunni, a Superintendent of Police.

The actress accused the Andhra Pradesh police of harassment during the tenure of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Her complaints stemmed from a case filed by a YSR Congress leader, who claimed she had scammed him in a land dispute. Earlier this year, the actress and her family were arrested related to this matter.

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She alleged that police officials threatened her with severe consequences if she did not withdraw a previous complaint against a prominent corporate executive in Mumbai. In light of these accusations, the Andhra Pradesh police conducted an investigation and suspended the three officers for procedural lapses, dereliction of duty and misconduct. Their suspension falls under Rule 3 (1) of the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969.

P S R Anjaneyulu, who previously served as the state intelligence chief, is accused of instructing his subordinates to arrest the actress on January 31, even before a First Information Report (FIR) was registered on February 2. The suspension order claims Anjaneyulu misused his authority and fast-tracked the investigation without proper investigation, constituting grave misconduct.

Kanthi Rana Tata, the former Vijayawada commissioner, faces criticism for failing to supervise the investigation adequately. He allegedly acted on oral instructions from Anjaneyulu, ordering the actress’s arrest on January 31, prior to the FIR being filed. Reports suggest he arranged for police officers to fly to Mumbai for the arrest just one hour after the FIR, without any formal written orders.

Vishal Gunni is accused of not thoroughly reviewing the complaint before proceeding with the arrest. He travelled to Mumbai to arrest the actress on February 2 without a proper written order, acting solely on oral instructions from his superiors. The officer is said to have arrested her shortly after the FIR was filed, without allowing her adequate opportunity to respond to the allegations.

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On Friday, the actress lodged a complaint with the police in Ibrahimpatnam, claiming that a false case had been filed against her. Following this, police registered a case against the YSR Congress leader and others, initiating a detailed investigation.

Additionally, two other officers, former Assistant Commissioner of Police K Hanumantha Rao and former Ibrahimpatnam inspector M Satyanarayana, have already been suspended in connection with the case.

Anjaneyulu, Tata, and Gunni were among 16 officers instructed to report to the DGP office without any new postings after the NDA government took power in Andhra Pradesh.