Suspended IPS officer and former Intelligence chief of Andhra Pradesh A.B. Venkateswara Rao has claimed that he has not violated any provision of the All India Services (AIS) Rules, adding that the norms allows officers to defend themselves against those targeting them and their families.
In a reply to the show-cause notice served on him by Chief Secretary Sameer Sharma over the media conference held by the suspended IPS officer on Pegasus spyware row recently, Mr. Rao said that he had spoken to the media as per the Rule- 17 of the AIS Rules.
“I spoke to the media over the Pegasus issue when I was the chief of intelligence. Rule no. 6 of the All India Services Rules states that an officer can clarify on issues raised on his personal conduct and character, while Rule no. 3 states that an officer has to discharge his duties in a transparent manner. How can I not defend myself as a citizen under the Article 21 of Constitution? Moreover, I had informed the government about the media conference in advance,” said Mr. Venkateswara Rao.
