Wife seeks to stall IPS officer's retirement benefits

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Suspended senior IPS officer P. V. Sunil Kumar faced a fresh setback on the eve of his retirement, with his wife P. Aruna urging the Andhra Pradesh government to withhold his retirement benefits until their pending legal disputes are resolved.

Sunil Kumar, who retired on Tuesday on attaining the age of superannuation, was the subject of a petition submitted by Aruna requesting that his pensionary and retirement benefits not be released immediately. She cited unresolved matrimonial disputes and said she had filed criminal complaints against him, including allegations of domestic violence and dowry harassment. Referring to a case registered in June 2017, she argued that releasing the benefits could adversely affect her financial security and legal rights.

On Monday, the State government issued orders permitting Sunil Kumar to retire with effect from June 30. However, it clarified that the departmental inquiries and criminal cases pending against him would continue after retirement.

The government said any decision on his pension and other retirement benefits would be taken under the All India Services (AIS) Rules after the conclusion of the disciplinary and criminal proceedings.

Sunil Kumar, who served as CID chief during the previous YSR Congress Party government, is facing multiple allegations, including his alleged role in the custodial torture of Raghu Rama Krishna Raju and alleged financial irregularities during his tenure as Director General of Fire Services.

The coalition government had earlier suspended him over allegations that he travelled abroad several times without obtaining mandatory government permission. Investigations into those allegations, along with the other pending cases, are continuing.

With both departmental and criminal proceedings yet to conclude, the final decision on Sunil Kumar's retirement benefits will be taken only after the legal process is completed.