Andhra Pradesh High Court on May 22 revoked the suspension of former state intelligence chief A B Venkateshwar Rao (IPS:1989:AP) and directed the state government to take him back into service.

The HC ruled on a petition filed by the DGP rank officer challenging his suspension by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government on February 8, 2020.

The HC also set aside the order of CAT which upheld the suspension of Rao. It ruled that the IPS officer be paid a full salary for the period of suspension. Rao was suspended for his alleged irregularities in the procurement of security equipment from an Israeli company during the TDP regime.

But the Jagan Mohan Reddy government alleged Rao of colluding with Israeli defence equipment manufacturing firm RT Inflatables Pvt Ltd to illegally award critical intelligence and surveillance contract to his son Chetan Sai Krishna, who is the CEO of Akasam Advanced Systems Pvt Ltd. The government also alleged Rao for willfully disclosing intelligence protocols and procedures of police to the foreign defence manufacturing firm.