A format complaint has been filed by the Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), a Hyderabad-based legal advocacy organization, against PV Sunil Kumar, IPS, a senior officer of the 1993 batch and current Director General of Police (DGP) in Andhra Pradesh, for his association with a private organization called Ambedkar’s India Mission. The complaint has been submitted to the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh, with a copy forwarded to the Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Government of India, New Delhi.
The LRPF has sought urgent action against Mr. Sunil Kumar for engaging in unauthorized activities by founding and leading a private organization, Ambedkar’s India Mission, while holding a senior position in the police force. The complaint seeks urgent action, including his suspension and a detailed investigation into his conduct and the organization’s activities. The complaint alleges violations of the Police Forces (Restriction of Rights) Act, 1966, and the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 by PV Sunil Kumar.
Wrote to Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary and DoPT seeking action against Mr PV Sunil Kumar, IPS, and other police officials for involving activities of Ambedkar's India Mission violating the provisions of the Police Forces (Restriction of Rights) Act, 1966. pic.twitter.com/ME0iro2ajX
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) December 5, 2024
Specific Allegations in the Complaint
The complaint accuses Sunil Kumar of:
Founding Ambedkar’s India Mission, registered as a charitable trust, in 2014 without prior sanction from the government, and involving over 500 serving police personnel as members, including constables, sub-inspectors, and senior officers.
Advocating for separate Gram Panchayats exclusively for Scheduled Castes, a move described as fostering divisions within the community.
Engaging in anti-Hindu propaganda under the guise of social reform, particularly favoring certain Scheduled Caste groups and advocating Scheduled Caste status for Christians.
Making biased public statements that compromise his impartiality as a civil servant, including remarks reported by The Times of India in December 2018 and The South First in April 2024.
Fully Packed and overflowing crowd cheering for Mana Vaada.. Mana paalana.. Mana Panchayati pic.twitter.com/MGkeR2rCyz
— PV Sunil Kumar (@PV_Sunil_Kumar) February 10, 2024
The complaint specifically references an interview with The South First that details how Ambedkar’s India Mission operates as a network of serving police officials advocating for caste-based reforms. It alleges that some police officials, including constables, sub-inspectors, and circle inspectors, serve as district in-charges of the organization, while senior officers, including SPs and DCPs, are actively liaising with it.
Legal Violations Cited
The LRPF alleges that Sunil Kumar’s activities contravene the Police Forces (Restriction of Rights) Act, 1966, particularly Section 3, which prohibits police officers from associating with organizations outside their official duties without express government approval.
Additionally, the complaint points to violations of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, which require government servants to:
Refrain from activities that compromise impartiality or foster division within society.
Avoid communication or participation in activities outside official duties without authorization.
The LRPF highlights Rule 3(1)(xviii) of the Conduct Rules, which explicitly prohibits actions that disrupt social harmony or reflect bias in public service.
As per LRPF, The organization ‘Ambedkar’s India Mission’, the complaint alleges, has been used to propagate divisive ideologies and disrupt social harmony.
In an interview with Organiser, AS Santhosh, the president of LRPF stated, “Serving the people is noble and commendable, and while bureaucrats, politicians, activists, NGOs, and common citizens all have different limitations and advantages in doing so, exploiting one role to assume another often raises suspicions about the true intentions and can dilute the overall objectives. LRPF’s complaint is focused on this concern.”
Previous Complaints and Ignored Warnings
The LRPF recalls that a similar complaint was filed in 2021 by K. Raghu Ramakrishna Raju, the then Member of Parliament and now Deputy Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly. The complaint led the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to issue a notice to the then state Chief Secretary, urging action against Sunil Kumar. However, the notice was allegedly ignored by the state government due to political considerations.
#BigBreaking
Union Ministry of Home Affairs directed Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary to take action against Mr. PV Sunil Kumar, IPS, Addl. DGP, Crime Investigation Department, Andhra Pradesh for anti Hindu speeches and activities in the name 'Ambedkar's India Mission'. pic.twitter.com/sa7yPxmiOB— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) July 3, 2021
The complaint also alleges that members of Ambedkar’s India Mission organized protests and Rasta Roko demonstrations, including the burning of effigies, in retaliation against the 2021 complaint, reportedly under the direct influence of Sunil Kumar.
Financial Misconduct and Foreign Funding Concerns
The LRPF has called for a probe into the financial dealings of Ambedkar’s India Mission, including its sources of donations and potential violations of foreign funding regulations. The complaint raises suspicions of the organization misusing its charitable status for political and divisive activities.
Demands Made by LRPF
The complaint calls on the Chief Secretary and the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) to take immediate action by suspending Mr. PV Sunil Kumar, IPS, for violating service rules and engaging in unauthorized activities. It also urges the Andhra Pradesh Police Department to register an FIR against Mr. Sunil Kumar and other police personnel associated with Ambedkar’s India Mission under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Additionally, the complaint seeks a thorough investigation into the financial dealings of Ambedkar’s India Mission, particularly focusing on its sources of funding and any alleged misuse of foreign funds.
Similarly, in Telangana, former IPS officer RS Praveen Kumar, while serving as Secretary of the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TSWREIS), initiated the SWAEROES movement, which has been accused of promoting divisive sentiments under the pretext of uplifting marginalized SC students. He resigned six years ahead of his retirement, entered politics in 2021, and served as the Telangana Bahujan Samaj Party chief, contesting in the 2023 Assembly elections. Later, he joined the Bharat Rashtra Samithi party, where he remains active.
