J Shankaraiah, a police inspector who hit the headlines recently by issuing a legal notice to Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu alleging that the latter had made defamatory remarks against him, was dismissed from service on Friday.
Kurnool district superintendent of police Vikrant Patil issued a statement to this effect. Shankaraiah is presently in vacancy reserve (VR) in Kurnool district police department.
The statement, however, did not mention any reason for the dismissal of Shankaraiah from job, but only said he was dismissed on disciplinary grounds, following orders from Kurnool range deputy inspector general of police Dr Koya Praveen.
On September 18, Shankaraiah issued a legal notice to Naidu seeking a public apology and compensation of Rs 1.45 crore for making “defamatory remarks” against him in connection with the murder of former minister Y S Vivekananda Reddy at the latter’s residence at Pulivendula in Kadapa district on March 14, 2019.
Sankaraiah was the circle inspector at Pulivendula police station when the sensational murder of Vivekanda Reddy took place.
Naidu, who was then chief minister, said the inspector had failed to discharge his duty properly, as he had moved the body from the spot before the inquest.
“That inspector’s role should also come under investigation. It is the responsibility of the investigating officer and the inspector present there to protect the scene of the offence. The inspector failed in his duty,” Naidu told reporters then.
In the notice served on Naidu, Shankaraiah alleged that the chief minister’s statement falsely attributed investigative responsibilities to him.
Shankaraiah said he was forced to issue legal notice as the chief minister was “repeatedly making false, malicious, and defamatory statements” against him with reference to Vivekananda Reddy’s murder case.
