- Decision on Praneeth Rao DSP status follows misuse of duties
- Illegal phone tapping case leads to action against Praneeth Rao
The state government has cancelled the DSP status of Dugyala Praneeth Rao, a key accused in the illegal phone tapping case. He is currently under suspension. The decision came after officials found that he misused his duties during the probation period after his promotion as Deputy Superintendent of Police. The government issued the order through Chief Secretary to the Government, Home Department, C.V. Anand. As a result, the accelerated promotion granted to Praneeth Rao has now been withdrawn. He will continue to serve as an inspector.
Officials took this step after reviewing his service record and the findings of the ongoing investigation. According to the government, the misuse of authority during the probation period was a serious violation. Therefore, the administration decided to act against him. Meanwhile, the move has again brought focus to the controversy around his rapid rise in the police department.
Generally, the state follows a clear policy for accelerated promotions. Such promotions are given only to police officers who show excellence in controlling terrorist activities. However, Praneeth Rao did not work in such operations. Even then, he received accelerated promotion to the rank of DSP. This decision caused debate at the time. Also, he was the only officer promoted to DSP from the 2007 batch, which had nearly 300 sub inspectors. Therefore, criticism grew that his promotion was irregular and linked to illegal phone tapping.
Praneeth Rao joined the Special Intelligence Branch on October 24, 2016, as a sub inspector. He served there until December 13, 2023. During this period, he received promotions as inspector and later as DSP under the accelerated procedure. Later, the Special Operations Target unit was formed under his leadership within the SIB. However, the SIT investigation revealed serious violations. It found that he played a key role in switching off CCTV cameras at the SIB office. He was also involved in destroying 42 hard disks and data stored in laptops and computers kept in the SOT locker room. This happened a day after the 2023 Assembly election results.
These actions violated Rule No. 3 of the TSCS Conduct Rules, 1964. The then DIG of SIB recommended his suspension. Later, the then Additional DGP of the Intelligence Department sent a proposal to the government on January 17, 2024. Based on this, officials suspended Praneeth Rao on March 2. A criminal case was then registered at Panjagutta police station on March 10. He was arrested on March 12 and sent to jail.
In this context, the DGP submitted a report seeking cancellation of his promotion. The report stated, “Praneeth Rao, who was accelerated promoted to DSP on march 31, 2023, violated the service rules by committing abuse of power without completing a year (probationary period).” Based on this report, the government cancelled his DSP status.
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