An unprecedented crisis has emerged in Andhra Pradesh, where almost 200 top police officials, including Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, are being detained in a "Vacancy Reserve" (VR) or "Compulsory Wait" category without duty or pay for more than 12 months. The crisis, which started in June 2024, has triggered an urgent plea to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for immediate action, alleging grave constitutional abuses and humanitarian issues.
YSRCP MP Maddila Gurumoorthy, who represents Tirupati, has penned a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer Garu, Chief Secretary to the state government K Vijayanand, and Director General of Police.
Gurumoorthy first raised the issue during the Zero Hour in Parliament on March 12, 2025, but claims that no action has been taken so far. This was followed by official word on March 13, 2025, when the Principal Secretary, Home (Services-I), Government of Andhra Pradesh, while responding to a Starred Question in the AP State Legislative Council, confirmed that a total of 199 officers fall in the 'VR' category. They consist of 4 IPS officers, 4 Non-Cadre Superintendents of Police, 1 APSP Commandant, 27 Additional SPs, 42 Deputy SPs (Civil and APSP), and 119 Civil Police Inspectors.
It has been learned that these officers have been arbitrarily posted to Director General of Police (DGP) Office in Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh, for more than a year without any allotted duties.
It has been learnt that although they are asked to sign attendance registers on a daily basis, they are compelled to live in rented houses in Amaravati at their own costs, having not received salaries for over 12 months.
Most importantly, as the minister suggests, there are no departmental questions, disciplinary proceedings, or court cases pending or envisaged against any of these officers. Others have argued that these steps are not merely arbitrary in nature but also amount to flagrant violations of the Indian Constitution, the Indian Police Service (Conduct) Rules, and settled norms of service.
“An extreme inequality has been similarly brought to light: whereas these police officers are withheld their salaries, their counterparts in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Revenue Services, similarly without postings, get their salaries, giving huge grounds for charges of discrimination and unequal treatment of the law,” said Gurumoorthy.
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The minister asserts that to this extent, most of these unposted officers are allegedly used to attend critical bandobast responsibilities for political gatherings, VIP visits, and religious functions. Still, they carry out these duties without being officially posted, receiving remuneration, vehicles, or allowances. Instead, they are usually forced to travel in public vehicles when dressed in uniform, which causes great humiliation and degrading treatment. The withholding of House Rent Allowance has worsened their economic distress, with numerous individuals being evicted and unable to fulfil basic family commitments, such as children's schooling and medical bills for elderly parents.
Gurumoorthy, further, says the extended scenario has caused extensive psychological and financial shock, mainly to officers who are over 50, derailing their retirement preparations. The contributions to the pension funds have stopped, and some officers were reportedly posted on their retirement day only, withholding them their salaries for the past year and their retirement benefits that are due.
He pointed this out as a gross violation of basic rights under Articles 14, 16, and 21 of the Constitution of India, and in contravention of the Supreme Court's guidelines in Prakash Singh vs Union of India (2006), which laid stress on safeguarding trained policemen from arbitrary transfers and political interference.
Gurumoorthy claims that paradoxically, even as this large pool of trained and skilled officers is being kept idle, the Andhra Pradesh Government has reportedly asked the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to depute All-India Services officers from other states citing lack for day-to-day administration and law and order. This conflicting approach is under fire as unreasonable in a democratic system, indicative of possible political vindictiveness, wasteful use of public funds, and an abandonment of judicial guidelines and constitutional safeguards.
He has approached the Prime Minister, requesting his personal intervention to correct this egregious injustice and ensure that these officers get their just postings, salaries, and all entitled benefits without delay.
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