Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police K Aravinda Rao today filed a counter affidavit before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) here contending that the plea of Principal Home Secretary P Gautam Kumar against his promotion as DGP was not maintainable.
Mr. Kumar had challenged the appointment of Mr. Rao as the head of the State police before the Tribunal in September, saying it was done in violation of IPS cadre rules.
Mr. Kumar claimed that the State government overlooked his seniority while promoting Mr. Rao and six other officers of 1977 batch of IPS (in May this year), which he termed as an “illegal” act.
The CAT, after admitting the petition of Mr. Kumar had asked the respondents including the State and the Central governments to file their counters before it.
In his reply, Mr. Rao submitted, “The applicant (Gautam Kumar) having also been a beneficiary of being promoted to the rank of DGP cannot challenge the policy or system in relation to any other member of the service.”
Referring to Mr. Kumar’s contention that he was better suited for the post of DGP, Rao submitted, “In any event, this is a matter which would depend upon the executive and their appreciation and evaluation of the service record of the respective officers,” and sought for dismissing Kumar’s plea.
Other respondents in the case, the Andhra Pradesh government and State Director General (Vigilance and Enforcement Department) V Dinesh Reddy also filed their counter affidavits before the CAT.
The CAT bench then posted the matter to November 16.
Mr. Kumar belongs to the 1975 batch of IPS, while Mr. Rao is of 1977 batch.
