CI Who Sent Legal Notices to CBN Removed From Service

Controversial Circle Inspector J. Sankaraiah, who issued legal notices to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu in September, has been removed from government service with immediate effect. Kurnool Range DGP Koya Praveen issued the termination orders today evening after the inquiry related to his disciplinary action was completed.

Sankaraiah earlier served as the Inspector of Pulivendula during the brutal murder of former MP Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy, the uncle of Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, in the run up to the 2019 elections when Chandrababu Naidu was the Chief Minister. At the time, Naidu accused Sankaraiah of failing to protect the crime scene and criticised his conduct while handling the investigation. On several occasions, Naidu publicly pulled him up for allegedly trying to dilute the case in collusion with suspects.

Citing these allegations, Sankaraiah sent a legal notice to Chandrababu Naidu demanding a public apology along with a compensation of 1 crore rupees. He accused the Chief Minister of defamation and asked him to refrain from misusing his constitutional position to target government officials.

Sankaraiah was previously suspended by the Naidu government in 2019 for failing to conduct an inquest at the scene and for moving the body of Vivekananda Reddy while also clearing blood stains at the spot. He remained under suspension until 2021, after which the Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy government reinstated him. Allegations continued that he did not register the case immediately and attempted to destroy evidence.

During the investigation, Sankaraiah informed the CBI that he was pressured by MP Avinash Reddy and others not to register the case and was forced to make a public statement that there were no injuries on the body. However, he later failed to testify before the court.

Authorities concluded that Sankaraiah violated CCS Conduct Rules by acting in a manner unbecoming of a government servant. Serving legal notices to the Chief Minister while holding a public post, and attempting to draw public attention to himself, resulted in strict disciplinary action and eventual removal from service.