DGP faces CBI probe

• SC directs CBI to investigate the DA case and submit report within four weeks
• Petitioner Umesh Kumar to appear in trial court for forgery of signatures
• Both the IPS officers were at loggerheads since Dinesh Reddy was made DGP
• Probe has significance as State is in turmoil
• SC slams State Govt for not investigating the DGP’s DA case

Venkat Parsa

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the CBI to inquire into allegations of disproportionate assets against Andhra Pradesh Director-General of Police (DGP) V Dinesh Reddy. The Supreme Court delivered the ruling in the case involving an IPS officer Umesh Kumar and Dinesh Reddy.

At the same time, the Apex Court gave a jolt to petitioner Umesh Kumar by ordering that he, too, face the trial court in connection with a case in which he was alleged to have forged signature of an MP. A Supreme Court Bench comprising Justice B S Chauhan and Justice S A Bobde directed the CBI to conduct the probe and file the status report within four weeks. “The appeals are disposed of, directing the CBI to investigate the matter against Dinesh Reddy on the allegations of acquiring disproportionate assets,” the Bench said.

The Bench also slammed the State government for not conducting any probe against Reddy when a copy of a complaint against was forwarded by the centre, saying “our conscious was shocked” by the manner the state government abandoned the allegation against its top cop. In its direction, the Supreme Court said any objections of both the IPS officers could be resolved in the trial court.

It stated, “Facts of the case warranted some inquiry in respect of the allegations of acquiring huge properties by Reddy. The state took the courage to flout the order of the Central Government and did not look into the contents of the complaint and misdirected the inquiry against Umesh Kumar. In such a fact-situation, this court would not fail in its duty to direct the inquiry in those allegations.”

The Apex Court verdict is bound to have political reaction, as the DGP has been targeted, saying that he belonged to the Seemandhra region. It is also significant that this development comes at a time when the state is in turmoil and in the throes of bifurcation.

A bitter war was on between Dinesh Reddy and Umesh Kumar ever since Dinesh Reddy was appointed DGP. Both 1977 batch-mates have been engaged in verbal duel and also petition-mongering for quite some time now. When a vacancy arose for the post of DGP, Umesh Kumar, serving at that time as the Andhra Pradesh Home Secretary and V Dinesh Reddy vied with each other to secure the top job. However, Umesh Kumar missed the bus with the State Government appointing Dinesh Reddy as the new DGP. Since then both the IPS officers have been at loggerheads.

Umesh Kumar moved the High Court alleging that Dinesh Reddy had acquired huge properties and assets. Dinesh Reddy, on the other hand, alleged that Umesh Kumar was involved in forgery of signatures. But the Supreme Court Bench said: "Even though the complaint was bogus, however, the sale deeds annexed along with the same though illegally collected by someone, have not been found to be fabricated documents".

"It becomes evident that in case there is some substance in the allegations and material exists to substantiate the complicity of the applicant (Reddy), the case is to be examined in its full conspectus and the proceedings should not be quashed only on the ground that the same had been initiated with mala fides to wreak vengeance or to achieve an ulterior goal," the bench said. "Facts of the case warranted some enquiry in respect of the allegations of acquiring huge properties by Reddy. The State took the courage to flout the order of the Central Government and did not look into the contents of the complaint and misdirected the enquiry against Umesh Kumar. In such a fact-situation, this court would not fail in its duty to direct the enquiry in those allegations," it said.