Amaravati, March 29: In a setback for Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday upheld an order issued by the Election Commission transferring three officials including the DG, Intelligence. The Andhra Pradesh High Court refused to intervene in the matter and said the transfer order of three IPS officers in the state comes under the purview of the Election Commission.

The Election Commission on Tuesday issued an order transferring Director General of Police (Intelligence) AB Venkateswara Rao, Kadapa Superintendent of Police (SP) Rahul Dev Sharma and Srikakulam SP Venkata Ratnam to the police headquarters after the YSR Congress Party approached the poll body, accusing the officers of 'favouring' the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Within 24 hours of the order transferring three officials, the state government issued two fresh orders on Wednesday. Modi Like ‘Demon’ For Minorities in India: Chandrababu Naidu Hits Out at Prime Minister.

Under one of the orders issued by Chief Secretary Anil Chandra Punetha, the transfer order issued on Tuesday night was cancelled. As per the latest order, only Srikakulam Superintendent of Police Venkata Ratnam and Kadapa Superintendent of Police Rahul Dev Sharma were transferred. The Chief Secretary also issued a separate order to exclude DG, Intelligence and other officials not related to election duty from the purview of the Election Commission.

Naidu on Wednesday said his government has moved court against the Election Commission’s decision to transfers three IPS officers. The TDP chief said the DGP, Intelligence, “looks after the security of chief minister and does not come under the EC’s purview”, suggesting the poll panel’s decision has jeopardized his security. Naidu said he will launch an agitation seeking fair elections and to save democracy and democratic institutions.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 29, 2019 12:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).