Chief Secretary Minnie Mathew issued an order placing B Naveen Kumar, currently Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Rampachodavaram sub-division, under suspension based on an inquiry conducted by Eluru Range Deputy Inspector General of Police G Suryaprakasa Rao.
The 2008-batch officer went public with his allegations that East Godavari District Superintendent of Police Trivikram Varma, his immediate superior, was hand-in-glove with the ganja smuggling gangs. Naveen also alleged Varma had tried to "eliminate" him by causing an accident to his official jeep.
As the two IPS officers got into a public spat, Home Minister Sabita Reddy directed the Eluru DIG to conduct an inquiry.
Even as the DIG submitted his report to the government after recording the versions of the two warring officers, Naveen again went to the media alleging the hand of a DIG and a Director General of Police-rank officers in the ganja smuggling racket.
The government took serious note of Naveen's outbursts and, based on a letter submitted by DGP Dinesh Reddy, placed the ASP under suspension with immediate effect.
"Naveen directly approached the media raising allegations against senior officials of the police force, which amounts to misconduct and contravention of Rule 17 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules. His action also amounts to gross insubordination and indiscipline warranting disciplinary action," the Chief Secretary noted in her order.