Boobathi goes on leave after shuffle

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Aggrieved by the state government’s move to divest him of charge of the ACB, its additional director-general of police, Mr D. Boobathi Babu, reportedly went on leave on Sunday. The state had on Saturday posted Mr B. Prasada Rao as the ACB director-general, divesting Mr Babu of his additional charge as ACB chief. Sources said feeling snubbed by the state government, Mr Babu, who rocked the state with the probe into the liquor scam, appeared to be upset during a meeting with officials on Sunday too.

Mr Babu was supposed to hand over charge to Mr Prasada Rao on Monday. Sources said that since he has applied for leave, he may hand over charge to ACB director Satyanarayana, who will in turn hand over charge to Mr Prasada Rao.

Boobathi’s work appreciated by HC
The ACB has to submit its status report in the liquor scam by June 11 in the AP High Court. The High Court had appreciated the ACB's performance in the probe and had asked D. Boobathi Babu to approach it in case of any issues. Mr Babu had earlier written a dissent letter to state government when joint director K. Srinivas Reddy, incharge of the Special Investigation Team, was shifted out of the ACB.

Mr Srinivas Reddy was shifted following pressure from PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana, though it is claimed that the transfer was linked to his promotion. The names of minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana, Mr Satyanarayana himself and several other MLAs and MPs have come out in the ACB probe against the liqour syndicates. Mr Babu was actively pursuing the case when the government decided to clip his wings.