AP Government Revokes Suspension of IPS Officers Kanthi Rana Tata, Vishal Gunni

The Andhra Pradesh government has revoked the suspension of senior IPS officers Kanthi Rana Tata and Vishal Gunni, bringing an end to nearly two years of suspension. The orders, issued on Thursday, take effect immediately.

The two officers were suspended on September 15, 2024, in connection with allegations surrounding the harassment of Mumbai-based actor and model Kadambari Jethwani. Their suspension was extended by the government on several occasions during the subsequent period.

With the latest extension due to expire on September 4, the government decided to withdraw the suspension before the deadline. Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad issued the government orders cancelling the suspension of Kanthi Rana Tata, a 2004-batch IPS officer, and Vishal Gunni, a 2010-batch officer.

The decision followed representations submitted by the two officers on August 24, along with a letter from the Director General of Police (DGP) received on the same day.

The government, however, made it clear that the revocation of the suspension does not bring the matter to an end. Departmental and criminal proceedings pending against the officers will continue independently, and the latest orders will have no bearing on those proceedings.

The case dates back to February 2, 2024, when police at Ibrahimpatnam Police Station in Vijayawada registered a case against Mumbai-based Kadambari Jethwani, her parents and her brother. The case was based on a complaint filed by YSRCP leader Vidhyasagar.

The episode later triggered serious allegations against senior police officials. It was alleged that P. Seetharam Anjaneyulu (PSR), Kanthi Rana Tata and Vishal Gunni misused their official positions and acted on political directions. The allegations included creating false records and framing an illegal case against Jethwani and her family, resulting in their alleged harassment.

Police also arrested Vidhyasagar as the investigation into the case progressed.

The controversy eventually led to the suspension of then Intelligence Chief P. Seetharam Anjaneyulu, then Vijayawada Police Commissioner Kanthi Rana Tata and DCP Vishal Gunni.

Anjaneyulu, who was also named as an accused in the case and had been suspended, retired from service in August.

While Tata and Gunni have now been reinstated, the government's orders make clear that their return to duty does not affect the criminal or departmental proceedings that remain pending against them.