Government defends SIT chief’s transfer

HYDERABAD: The state government on Friday told the high court that IPS officer K Srinivasa Reddy was transferred as chief of the special investigation team (SIT) probing the liquor syndicate scam after he was promoted to the rank of IG and ruled out bringing him back. It said the investigation into the liquor scam was progressing well under other officers.
When the matter came up for hearing on Friday before the division bench comprising Chief Justice Madan B Lokur and Justice P V Sanjay Kumar, advocate general A Sudarshan Reddy said the transfer of Srinivasa Reddy was made upon his promotion, a process that took several months involving sanction from the Centre. “Since there is no position for IG rank officer in ACB, the state had no option but to transfer him. Sivadhar Reddy, who replaced Srinivasa Reddy, too is an officer of integrity. There are no complaints against him even from those who are opposing the transfer of Srinivasa Reddy,” the AG said.
To support his argument, the AG brought to the notice of the court the arrest of a former district collector of Khammam on charges of aiding liquor syndicates. “The state has never interfered in the ongoing liquor probe. Moreover, it would set a bad precedent in the administration if we recall Srinivasa Reddy now,” the AG said.
Further, the AG claimed that ACB additional DG Boobathi Babu’s letter to the state seeking retention of Srinivasa Reddy found its way into the media the same day and that several pressure groups started functioning for and against the retention. Pointing fingers at Boobathi Babu, the state’s counter said that he had never asked for Srinivasa Reddy’s retention in the ACB.
However, this was objected to by the counsel for the petitioners OM Debora of Forum for Better Hyderabad and advocate P V Krishnaiah, who said that IPS officer Sivadhar Reddy, too was promoted to the IG rank. “Moreover, though there are several DGP rank officers available and though the post of ACB’s DG is to be held by a DGP rank officer, the post is currently being held by an additional DG rank officer (Boobathi Babu),” he said. The bench sought to know at this stage whether the petitioner was seeking Boobathi’s transfer as well. In response, the petitioner said Boobathi could be retained as additional DG but that the post should be held by a DG.
The bench also sought to know as to why Srinivasa Reddy’s batchmates such as Soumya Misra and Shika Goel were not promoted. The AG replied that they were all empanelled as IG rank officials and would be promoted when vacancies arise. Sivadhar Reddy too, was empanelled as IG but not promoted so far, he said.
The bench asked the petitioners to file a reply to the contentions raised by the state and posted the matter to June 11, the day on which the ACB is supposed to file its third status report on the liquor scam probe.