Feuding SP and ASP to be moved out of East Godavari

Embarassed over the ugly row between East Godavari district SP CM Trivikrama Varma and assistant superintendent of police (ASP) B Naveen Kumar, the police top brass is understood to have decided to shift both

the IPS officers from East Godavari district, even as Eluru range DIG G Suryaprakash Rao concluded his enquiry into the allegations on Wednesday. The DIG is likely to submit his report to his superiors on Thursday. Sources told Express that the senior officers were of the view that if the ASP had a problem with the SP, he should have approached either the DIG or the IGP, instead of briefing the media during which he made several allegations against the SP, which included attempt to murder, obstruction of duties, intimidation and harassment. Meanwhile, both the warring IPS officers gave their versions to the DIG. Sources said both were questioned by the DIG about the illegal transportation of ganja and the arrests made during the last few months. Besides, the senior officer questioned them over the allegation made by Naveen Kumar that an attempt was made to kill him by tinkering with his vehicle, which subsequently resulted in an accident.

“Both gave different versions of this particular eipsode. While Varma claimed he had no knowledge of it, the ASP insisted that his vehicle was tinkered with at the instance of Varma,” sources said. “The Government will take necessary action based on the report,” Suryaprakash Rao said. During the enquiry, the version of Varma’s driver

Basava Punnaiah was also taken as the ASP had alleged that he was the mediator between the SP and ganja

smugglers. Sources said the top brass is also examining the controversial decisions taken by the SP soon after assuming charge in May last year. The SP cancelled home guards recruitment, shifted subins pector Durga Rao from Rajahmundry to Kakinada and continued to have driver Basava Punnaiah with him till date. There was also

a delay in handling a domestic violence case involving housewife Rama Tulasi, who threatened to jump off a water tanker along with her daughter, and in checking the activities of oil mafia near Kakinada.

Meanwhile, sources said Trivikrama Varma is contemplating to go on long leave until the matter is resolved.