Praneeth Rao stripped of DSP rank
HYDERABAD: The state government has withdrawn the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) rank granted to suspended police officer Dugyala Praneeth Rao, a key accused in the illegal phone tapping case, and reverted him to the rank of inspector.
Home department cancels accelerated promotion
The home department said the decision was taken after finding misuse of office during the probation period following his promotion as DSP. Home department principal secretary C V Anand issued orders to this effect.
Controversial promotion revoked
With this order, the accelerated promotion earlier granted to Praneeth Rao stands cancelled. He will continue in service only as an inspector.
Questions over eligibility
The accelerated promotion policy is usually applied to police officers who show exceptional performance in counter-terrorism and anti-extremism operations. Praneeth Rao had not worked in such operations, and his promotion to DSP had triggered controversy at the time.
Of the nearly 300 officers in the 2007 sub-inspector batch, Praneeth Rao was the only one to receive an accelerated promotion, drawing criticism that the elevation was linked to his role in illegal phone tapping.
Praneeth Rao was transferred to the Special Intelligence Branch on October 24, 2016, while serving as a sub-inspector. He is currently under suspension.
