ACB DG goes on leave

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Anti-Corruption Bureau Director-General Boobathi Babu finally relieved Additional Director K. Srinivas Reddy, who is heading the probe into the liquor scam, from his post on Friday and proceeded to go on leave.

The government’s unyielding stand is said to have left the ACB chief with no option but to let go of the officer at a critical juncture of the investigation. Later in the evening, the ACB chief submitted his leave letter to chief secretary Pankaj Dwivedi. On Friday, Mr Boobathi Babu held a long review meeting on the liquor scam probe to discuss the report to be submitted to AP High Court. Emerging from the meeting at the ACB office in Moazzam Jahi Market, Mr Srinivas Reddy confirmed that he was “relieved from the post”.

Thanking everyone who supported him, he said, “I will take charge of the new post in coastal security (as IG).” Asked about his ACB stint, Mr Reddy said he liked all his postings adding that “Transfer of government officials is common.” He said the report on the liquor scam probe would have to be submitted to the High Court by April 16.

“The report is getting final touches and new officials will submit it,” he said. Mr Srinivas Reddy hoped there will be “progress in the case” since there are “good officials in ACB”. Mr Srinivas Reddy’s successor B. Shivadhar Reddy also has a good track record. Meanwhile, an all-party delegation met Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy to register protest against the abrupt transfer of Mr Srinivas Reddy.

Representatives of the Telugu Desam, the CPI and the Lok Satta, besides prohibition committee leaders, urged the CM to retain the officer at least till the ACB files the affidavit in the High Court. TD leader M. Narasim-hulu asked asked the CM whether Mr Srinivas Reddy was shunted out for honestly taking on the liquor mafia. The CM told the delegation that there were many more honest officers in ACB who would continue with the investigation, which, he said, was a continuous process.