Andhra Pradesh: 3 IPS Officers Suspended Over Alleged Harassment Of Actor-Model Kadambari Jethwani

The Andhra Pradesh government has suspended three senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, including a Director General (DG), for allegedly arresting and harassing Mumbai-based actor-model Kadambari Jethwani without proper investigation. This decision follows an inquiry into their actions, which has garnered significant public attention.

In August, Jethwani filed a formal complaint with NTR Police Commissioner S.V. Rajasekhar Babu. She accused the officers of conspiring with K.V.R. Vidyasagar, a YSR Congress Party leader and film producer, who had lodged a forgery and extortion case against her in February. Jethwani alleged that top police officials colluded with Vidyasagar to harass her and her parents, leading to their arrest and transfer from Mumbai to Vijayawada without prior notice.

Allegations Against Senior Officers

Jethwani claimed that she and her elderly parents were subjected to humiliation and unlawful detention, spending over 40 days in judicial custody. Her advocate, N. Srinivas, alleged that Vidyasagar fabricated land documents to frame Jethwani's family and that the police prevented them from filing a bail plea for several days.

A government order detailing Anjaneyulu's suspension cited "prima facie evidence" of "grave misconduct and dereliction of duty." The order stated: "The government, after careful consideration of the report and having due regard to the circumstances of the case, came to a conclusion that there is prima facie evidence and that the disciplinary proceedings are warranted for his grave misconduct and dereliction of duty...."
Suspension Details

The suspended officers include former Intelligence Chief P. Sitharama Anjaneyulu (DG rank), former Vijayawada Police Commissioner Kranti Rana Tata (Inspector General rank), and former Deputy Commissioner of Police Vishal Gunni (Superintendent rank). The inquiry revealed that Anjaneyulu had instructed the other two officers to arrest Jethwani even before a First Information Report (FIR) was filed.

The FIR was registered on February 2, while instructions for her arrest were allegedly issued on January 31. All three officers are among 16 IPS personnel who had been issued a memo earlier, ordering them to report to the Director General of Police's office twice daily without an official posting.

Jethwani accused the police officials of threatening her with dire consequences during the previous government if she did not withdraw a case she earlier filed. This incident has raised serious questions about police conduct and accountability in Andhra Pradesh.

The suspension of these senior officers underscores the government's commitment to addressing allegations of misconduct within its ranks. The public will be closely watching how this case unfolds as it highlights issues of power abuse and legal rights.