The Andhra Pradesh government has suspended three senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers following allegations of wrongful arrest of Mumbai-based actress and model Kadambari Jethwani.
Former intelligence chief P.S.R. Anjaneyulu, former Vijayawada Police Commissioner Kanthi Rana Tata and former Vijayawada Deputy Commissioner Vishal Gunni proceeded with the arrest of Jethwani in Mumbai on Feb 2, allegedly without written orders or sufficient evidence.
The suspended officers arrested her soon after a first information report was registered, raising concerns of procedural irregularities.
Their actions displayed disregard for standard investigative protocols, according to their suspension orders, which were issued based on a report by the Director-General of Police (DGP) Dwarka Tirumala Rao and signed by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
On Jan 31, Director-General of Police Anjaneyulu instructed Inspector-General Tata and Superintendent of Police Gunni to proceed with the arrest of the actress, even before a formal case had been registered.
The first information report was registered on Feb 2, while instructions for her arrest were allegedly issued on Jan 31.
In August, Jethwani, 28, had filed a complaint with the NTR District police commissioner, alleging that she and her family were illegally arrested by the police. The complaint stated that the arrest was orchestrated by YSR Congress Party leader and film producer K.V.R. Vidyasagar, who had accused Jethwani and her family of forgery and extortion.
Jethwani and her parents were reportedly arrested in Mumbai and brought to Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. They were kept in judicial custody for over 40 days before being granted bail.
Jethwani alleged that she and her family were subjected to mental torture and humiliation by police during questioning.
Her lawyer N. Srinivas alleged that Mr Vidyasagar had fabricated land documents to frame Jethwani and her family, and that police did not allow them to file a bail plea for several days.
A government order detailing DGP Anjaneyulu’s suspension stated that disciplinary proceedings have been initiated due to “prima facie evidence” of “grave misconduct and dereliction of duty”.
The inquiry that led to the suspensions of the police officers was initiated by DGP Rao after Jethwani lodged a formal complaint online with the Andhra Pradesh police.
She personally recorded her statement with the Vijayawada police on Aug 30 detailing the harassment she and her family endured.
Home Minister V. Anitha had previously stated that the government was treating the case with the seriousness it deserved, signalling its commitment to investigate the matter thoroughly.
According to her IMDb profile, Jethwani studied at elite schools in Ahmedabad and earned a certificate for excellence in bharatanatyam. After moving to Mumbai, a chance meeting with a director led to her debut in the Hindi film Sadda Adda.
She later starred in Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and Punjabi films including Ouija (Kannada), Aata (Telugu), I Love Me (Malayalam) and Oh Yaara Ainvayi Ainvayi Lut Gaya (Punjabi).
