AP govt extends suspension of IPS officer PV Sunil Kumar

Vijayawada: The state govt extended the suspension of senior IPS officer PV Sunil Kumar, invoking Rule 3(3) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. According to the official order, the suspension will remain in force until the completion of the pending criminal cases against him or until his retirement, whichever comes earlier.Sunil Kumar, a senior police officer, faced multiple allegations that triggered both legal and political controversy in the state. Several criminal cases were registered against him. Among the key accusations were undertaking foreign visits without obtaining mandatory govt permission, allegedly harassing then Member of Parliament and current deputy speaker Raghurama Krishna Raju during the previous regime, and alleged misappropriation of funds linked to the Agrigold scam.The govt earlier placed him under suspension in connection with these allegations. With investigations still underway and cases pending before the courts, the state now decided to continue the suspension, citing the seriousness of the charges.Officials indicated that the extension was a procedural step aimed at ensuring that the integrity of the ongoing investigations was not compromised. The development is likely to intensify political debate, as the cases against Sunil Kumar remain under judicial scrutiny.