Andhra Pradesh government suspends IPS officer P.V. Sunil Kumar, directs him not to leave headquarters

Andhra Pradesh government suspends IPS officer P.V. Sunil Kumar, directs him not to leave headquarters. The DGP-rank officer has allegedly undertaken multiple foreign visits in violation of orders, which is against national security interests, says the government.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has suspended senior IPS officer and former CID chief P.V. Sunil Kumar for allegedly making unauthorised foreign visits in violation of the All India Service (AIS-Conduct) Rules, 1968.

The DGP-rank officer, who has been waiting for posting, is placed under suspension under Rule 3 (1) of AIS (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, pending detailed inquiry.

Orders to this effect were issued on March 2 (Sunday).

Mr. Sunil Kumar had allegedly undertaken multiple foreign visits without obtaining prior permission from the government.

In March 2024, the government had given him permission to visit Georgia. However, the officer allegedly visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In September 2023, Mr. Sunil Kumar had visited Sweden allegedly without obtaining permission from the government. He had allegedly visited the U.S. unauthorisedly in February 2023. The IPS officer had allegedly visited the UAE in October 2021 and the U.K. in January 2020, in violation of the government orders.

The alleged unauthorised foreign travels undertaken by the IPS officer raised serious concerns, and such tours were against the national security interests, the orders said.

The official exhibited “gross negligence, indiscipline and grave misconduct” by undertaking foreign travels without obtaining requisite permission, it was alleged.